Integrated User Interface System and Method

ABSTRACT

An integrated user interface system being disposed at a chair and methods for manufacturing and using same. The user interface system comprises one or more interface elements that are disposed at an armrest or other suitable chair location and that are obscured from view or otherwise de-emphasized when a user is distal from the user interface system. At least one selected interface element becomes emphasized when a user hand becomes proximate to the user interface system. The selected interface element can become emphasized, for example, by becoming visible and/or by forming a raised projection. Upon becoming emphasized, the selected interface element is activated for use and can be manipulated to interact with available system resources. The chair advantageously can appear to be an ordinary chair when the user interface system is not in use and can present the user interface system when the user wishes to access the system resources.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/381,866, filed Sep. 10, 2010. Priority to the provisionalpatent application is expressly claimed, and the disclosure of theprovisional application is hereby incorporated herein by reference inits entirety and for all purposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to integrated electronicsystems and more particularly, but not exclusively, to integrated userinterface systems for disposal at chairs.

BACKGROUND

Computer-based systems typically provide user interfaces for enablingusers to interact with the systems. Passenger vehicles, for example,often include vehicle information (or entertainment) systems forsatisfying passenger demand for access to viewing content, such asentertainment content or other information, during travel.

Conventional vehicle information systems typically include overheadcabin video systems or chair-based video systems with individualcontrols such that viewing content is selectable at passenger chairs.The viewing content can include audio and video content that is derivedfrom a variety of content sources. Prerecorded viewing content, such asmotion pictures and music, can be provided by internal content sources,such as audio and video players, that are installed aboard the vehicle.The conventional vehicle information systems likewise can include anantenna system for receiving viewing content, such as live televisionprogramming and/or Internet content, transmitted from one or morecontent providers (or sources) that are external to, and/or remote from,the passenger vehicle.

Such conventional vehicle information systems, however, suffer fromnumerous disadvantages. Some passengers find the vehicle informationsystems to be complicated to operate and the viewing content difficultto enjoy. For example, current methods of passenger interaction withvehicle information systems require use of controls disposed on a facingchair back or a dedicated handheld controller at each passenger chair.Use of the handheld controllers, for example, can prove difficultbecause the handheld controllers are tethered with the passenger chairsvia a wired communication connection and are otherwise difficult tooperate. Such system shortcomings are a frequent source of passengercomplaints during travel.

In view of the foregoing, a need exists for an improved manner forsupporting passenger interaction with a vehicle information system in aneffort to overcome the aforementioned obstacles and deficiencies ofconventional vehicle information systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary top-level drawing illustrating an embodiment of auser chair with an integrated user interface system for interacting withselected system resources (or the associated resource functions)available via the information system.

FIG. 2A is an exemplary top-level drawing illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the user chair of FIG. 1, wherein the user interfacesystem is disposed within an armrest of the user chair and is obscuredby an armrest covering when a user is distal from the user interfacesystem.

FIG. 2B is an exemplary top-level drawing illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the user chair of FIG. 2A, wherein the user interfacesystem becomes apparent when the user is proximate to the user interfacesystem.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary top-level drawing illustrating anotheralternative embodiment of the user chair of FIG. 1, wherein the userinterface system is partially disposed at each armrest of the userchair.

FIG. 4A is an exemplary drawing illustrating an alternative embodimentof the user chair of FIG. 3, wherein the user interface system isprovided as an array (or matrix) of interface elements.

FIG. 4B is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating the user interfacesystem of FIG. 4A, wherein the interface elements are de-emphasized.

FIG. 4C is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating the user interfacesystem of FIG. 4A, wherein the interface elements are emphasized when ahand of a user approaches, and becomes proximate to, the user interfacesystem.

FIG. 4D is an exemplary drawing illustrating the user chair of FIG. 4Awith the user interface system of FIG. 4C.

FIG. 4E is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating the user interfacesystem of FIG. 4A, wherein selected interface elements are emphasizedwhen the hand of the user approaches, and becomes proximate to, the userinterface system.

FIG. 4F is an exemplary drawing illustrating the user chair of FIG. 4Awith the user interface system of FIG. 4E.

FIG. 5A is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating the user interfacesystem of FIGS. 4A-F, wherein the selected interface elements aredisposed in a grid arrangement.

FIG. 5B is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the user interface system of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating the user interfacesystem of FIG. 5B, wherein the user interface system is emphasized whenthe hand of the user approaches, and becomes proximate to, the userinterface system.

FIG. 6A is an exemplary top-level drawing illustrating anotheralternative embodiment of the user chair of FIG. 3, wherein the userinterface system is utilized in conjunction with a video interfacesystem.

FIG. 6B is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating the user interfacesystems of FIGS. 5A-C, wherein the user interface system is utilized inconjunction with the video interface system of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the user interface system of FIGS. 5A-C, wherein theselected interface elements are disposed in an alternative gridarrangement.

FIG. 7B is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating the user interfacesystem of FIG. 7A, wherein the user interface system is emphasized whenthe hand of the user approaches, and becomes proximate to, the userinterface system.

FIG. 7C is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating the user interfacesystem of FIG. 7B, wherein the user interface system is utilized inconjunction with the video interface system of FIGS. 6A-B.

FIG. 8A is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating another alternativeembodiment of the user interface system of FIGS. 4A-F, wherein theselected interface elements form a gaming interface.

FIG. 8B is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating the user interfacesystem of FIG. 8A, wherein the user interface system is emphasized whenthe hand of the user approaches, and becomes proximate to, the userinterface system.

FIG. 9A is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the user interface system of FIGS. 8A-B, wherein thegaming interface is suitable for playing an arcade game.

FIG. 9B is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating the user interfacesystem of FIG. 9A, wherein the user interface system is emphasized whenthe hand of the user approaches, and becomes proximate to, the userinterface system.

FIG. 10A is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating another alternativeembodiment of the user interface system of FIGS. 8A-B, wherein thegaming interface forms a double gamer D-pad.

FIG. 10B is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating the user interfacesystem of FIG. 10A, wherein the user interface system is emphasized whenthe hand of the user approaches, and becomes proximate to, the userinterface system.

FIG. 11A is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating another alternativeembodiment of the user interface system of FIGS. 8A-B, wherein thegaming interface is suitable for playing a trivia game.

FIG. 11B is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating the user interfacesystem of FIG. 11A, wherein the user interface system is emphasized whenthe hand of the user approaches, and becomes proximate to, the userinterface system.

FIG. 12A is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating another alternativeembodiment of the user interface system of FIGS. 4A-F, wherein theselected interface elements form a pointer control interface system.

FIG. 12B is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating the user interfacesystem of FIG. 12A, wherein the user interface system is emphasized whenthe hand of the user approaches, and becomes proximate to, the userinterface system.

FIG. 12C is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating an embodiment ofthe user interface system of FIG. 12B, wherein the pointer controlinterface system is formed with a domed profile.

FIG. 12D is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the user interface system of FIG. 12B, wherein the pointercontrol interface system is formed with a flat profile.

FIGS. 13A-C are exemplary detail drawings illustrating an embodiment ofthe pointer control interface system of FIGS. 12A-D, wherein the userinterface system is utilized to navigate a hierarchical menu systempresented via the video interface system of FIGS. 6A-B.

FIG. 14A is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating another alternativeembodiment of the user interface system of FIGS. 4A-F, wherein theinterface elements comprise electro-mechanical solenoids.

FIG. 14B is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating an embodiment of aselected electro-mechanical solenoid of FIG. 14A.

FIGS. 15A-K are exemplary detail drawings illustrating one embodiment ofa method for manufacturing the user interface system of FIGS. 14A-B.

FIG. 16A is an exemplary top-level drawing illustrating anotheralternative embodiment of the user chair of FIG. 1, wherein the userinterface system is projected onto the armrest of the user chair.

FIG. 16B is an exemplary top-level drawing illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the user chair of FIG. 16B, wherein a camera systemdetects user interaction with the user interface system.

FIGS. 17A-B are exemplary detail drawings illustrating anotheralternative embodiment of the user chair of FIG. 1, wherein the userinterface system can be provided at the user chair in a dynamic manner.

FIGS. 18A-B are exemplary detail drawings illustrating anotheralternative embodiment of the user chair of FIG. 1, wherein the userinterface system can provide a user interface for controlling one ormore chair features of the user chair.

FIGS. 19A-B are exemplary detail drawings illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the user interface system of FIGS. 18A-B.

FIGS. 20A-B are exemplary detail drawings illustrating anotheralternative embodiment of the user chair of FIG. 1, wherein the userinterface system can include at least one touch pad system.

FIGS. 21A-B are exemplary detail drawings illustrating anotheralternative embodiment of the user chair of FIG. 3, wherein the userinterface system is disposed at a left armrest of the user chair isdifferent from the user interface system is disposed at a right armrestof the user chair.

FIG. 22A is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating another alternativeembodiment of the user chair of FIG. 1, wherein the user chair supportsuse of a chair-based video interface system.

FIG. 22B is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the user chair of FIG. 1, wherein the chair-based videointerface system provides a touch keyboard for entering the userinformation and can be utilized in conjunction with the video interfacesystem of FIG. 6A.

FIGS. 23A-B are exemplary detail drawings illustrating anotheralternative embodiment of the user chair of FIG. 1, wherein the userinterface system can include a retractable keyboard system.

FIG. 24A is an exemplary top-level drawing illustrating the informationsystem of FIG. 1, wherein the information system is installed aboard anautomobile.

FIG. 24B is an exemplary top-level drawing illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the information system of FIG. 1, wherein the informationsystem is installed aboard an aircraft.

FIG. 25 is an exemplary detail drawing illustrating one embodiment of adistribution system for the information systems of FIGS. 24A-B.

FIG. 26A is an exemplary top-level drawing illustrating a passengercabin of a passenger vehicle, wherein the information system of FIGS.24A-B has been installed.

FIG. 26B is an exemplary top-level drawing illustrating an embodiment ofthe information system of FIG. 26A, wherein the information system is incommunication with a personal media device.

FIGS. 27A-B are an exemplary detail drawings illustrating anotheralternative embodiment of the user chair of FIG. 1, wherein the userchair is disposed within the passenger cabin of FIGS. 26A-B.

It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and thatelements of similar structures or functions are generally represented bylike reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout thefigures. It also should be noted that the figures are only intended tofacilitate the description of the preferred embodiments. The figures donot illustrate every aspect of the described embodiments and do notlimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Since currently-available vehicle information systems require thepassenger chair to include chair-mounted or tethered controllers thatare difficult to operate, an information system that eliminates the needfor such controllers, while enhancing a user's level of interaction, canprove desirable and provide a basis for a wide range of systemapplications, such as vehicle information systems for use aboardautomobiles, aircraft, and other types of vehicles during travel. Thisresult can be achieved, according to one embodiment disclosed herein, byproviding an integrated user (or passenger) interface system 360 at auser (or passenger) chair 382 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Turning to FIG. 1, the user chair 382 is illustrated as including aplurality of conventional chair elements, such as a chair seat 384D anda chair back 386, wherein the chair elements are coupled via a chairframe (not shown) and supported by a chair base 384B. The user chair 382can be provided in any conventional manner and with any suitablematerials. The chair seat 384D, for example, can be disposed between apair of armrests 388, and the chair back 386 can be provided with aheadrest 384. As desired, the user chair 382 likewise can include one ormore additional conventional chair features. Exemplary chair featurescan include a footrest, lumbar support, (manual and/or powered) chairposition adjustments, in-chair massage, in-chair temperature control,and/or other conventional chair features without limitation. Typicalchair position adjustments can include an adjustable headrest, armrest,footrest, lumbar support, chair back angle, forward/backward/lateralchair position, upward/downward chair elevation, and/or chair swivel.

If the user chair 382 is configured for use within an operatingenvironment with an information system 100 as shown in FIG. 1, theintegrated user interface system 360 advantageously can enableinteraction with one or more selected system resources 110 (and/or atleast one associated resource function (and/or application) of theselected system resources 110) available by way of the informationsystem 100. The user interface system 360 can be disposed at one or moresuitable locations (or regions) of the user chair 382. Exemplarysuitable locations of the user chair 382 suitable for the user interfacesystem 360 can include a left armrest 388L (shown in FIG. 3), a rightarmrest 388R (shown in FIG. 3), both armrests 388, a chair back 386,and/or a tray table of the user chair 382, without limitation. The traytable can be associated with any suitable chair region, such as a chairback 386 and/or an armrest 388, of the user chair 382.

At least a portion of the user interface system 360 optionally can beprovided separately from the user chair 382, such as at one or moresuitable locations (or regions) of a wall, a floor, a ceiling, anadjacent user chair, and/or any other suitable location within theoperating environment. In one embodiment, a chair back 386 and/orarmrest 388 of the adjacent user chair can provide the portion of theuser interface system 360. The chair back 386 and/or armrest 388 of theadjacent user chair, for example, can provide a tray table, a videointerface system 362 (shown in FIGS. 26A-B), an audio interface system364 (shown in FIGS. 26A-B) that can be associated with the userinterface system 360 of the user chair 382. The user interface system360 thereby can eliminate a need for a separate, handheld control deviceat the user chair 382 while enhancing a level of interaction with theinformation system 100 in a new and exciting, but very natural, manner.

Advantageously, the user interface system 360 can be obscured from view(or otherwise de-emphasized) when a user is distal from the userinterface system 360 and can become apparent (or otherwise emphasized)when the user (and/or a hand of the user) approaches, and becomesproximate to, the user interface system 360. In one embodiment, the userinterface system 360 can remain emphasized while the user indicates adesire to utilize the user interface system 360. The user interfacesystem 360 optionally can become obscured from view or otherwisede-emphasized when utilization of the user interface system 360 is notdesired. The user interface system 360, for example, can become obscuredupon sensing that the user hand is withdrawing from (and/or has beenwithdrawn from) the user interface system 360. Alternatively, and/oradditionally, the user interface system 360 can obscure the userinterface system 360 after a predetermined time period has elapsed afterthe user hand has been withdrawn. The predetermined time period can bewithin any predetermined range of time periods, such as any ten-secondrange between ten seconds and sixty seconds (or more).

In one embodiment, the user interface system 360 can be at leastpartially disposed within the user chair 382. The user interface system360 thereby can be obscured from view by a chair covering when a user isdistal from the user interface system 360 and can become apparent whenthe user approaches, and becomes proximate to, the user interface system360. The user interface system 360 optionally can be obscured from viewwhen the user withdraws from the user interface system 360 and/or whenthe user interface system 360 enters an idle mode (and/or in apowered-down mode). In other words, the user chair 382 can appear to bean ordinary chair when the user interface system 360 is not in use;whereas, the user chair 382 can present the user interface system 360when the user wishes to utilize the user interface system 360. The userchair 382 can permit the user to indicate a desire to utilize the userinterface system 360 in any suitable manner, such as by placing a hand(or a finger) near a location of the user chair 382 at which the userinterface system 360 is disposed.

FIGS. 2A-B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the user chair 382,wherein at least a portion of the user interface system 360 is disposedwithin a selected armrest 388 of the user chair 382. The user chair 382preferably provides a chair compartment 388A with suitable size and/ordimension for receiving the user interface system 360. As illustrated inFIG. 2A, the chair compartment 388A is disposed adjacent to the selectedarmrest 388 and is partially defined by an armrest covering 388B of theuser chair 382. The armrest covering 388B comprises a region (and/orsurface) of the armrest 388 upon which the user can rest an arm whenseated in the user chair 382. When the user interface system 360 isdisposed within the chair compartment 388A, the armrest covering 388Bcan cover the user interface system 360 such that the user interfacesystem 360 is enclosed within the chair compartment 388A.

The user interface system 360 can comprise one or more interfaceelements 366 and is shown in FIG. 2A as including a selected arrangementof four interface elements 366A-D for purposes of illustration only, notfor purposes of limitation. The interface elements 366 preferably arepositioned adjacent to (and/or flushly disposed against) the armrestcovering 388B and can be selectively presented by the user chair 382 viathe armrest covering 388B. In the manner discussed above, the interfaceelements 366A-D can be obscured from view by the armrest covering 388Bas shown in FIG. 2A when the user is distal from the interface elements366. The interface elements 366A-D, when obscured, preferably aredisabled and/or are unable to be manipulated. The interface elements366A-D thereby can be inhibited from interacting with the systemresource(s) 110 (and/or the associated resource function(s)) availableby way of the information system 100 (shown in FIG. 1).

When the user hand approaches, and becomes proximate to, the userinterface system 360, however, one or more selected interface elements366A-D can become apparent (and/or emphasized) via the armrest covering388B as illustrated in FIG. 2B. The selected interface elements 366A-D,upon becoming apparent, are activated for use and thereby can bemanipulated to interact with the system resource(s) 110 (and/or theassociated resource function(s)) available by way of the informationsystem 100. Stated somewhat differently, one or more selected interfaceelements 366A-D, when activated, can be associated with a preselectedcontrol function. The selected interface elements 366A-D can bemanipulated to initiate the preselected control function, and one ormore system resources 110 can receive the preselected control functionfrom the user interface system 360 and perform the preselected controlfunction. For example, if the interface element 366A and the interfaceelement 366D are activated for use and respectively associated withaudio volume increase and decrease control functions, a user canmanipulate the interface element 366A to increase an audio volume ofviewing content 210 (shown in FIGS. 22A-B) presented at the user chair382 and can manipulate the interface element 366D to decrease the audiovolume.

Additionally, and/or alternatively, a selected interface element 366A-D,when activated, can be associated with one or more preselected controlfunctions for interacting with the system resources 110. The selectedinterface element 366A-D can be manipulated to initiate at least one ofthe preselected control functions, and the system resources 110 canreceive the initiated preselected control function from the userinterface system 360 and perform the initiated preselected controlfunction. The interface element 366A, for example, can be activated foruse and associated with audio volume control function. A user therebycan alternately manipulate the interface element 366A to increase and/ordecrease the audio volume of the viewing content 210 presented at theuser chair 382.

For instance, the interface element 366A can be manipulated in a firstmanner to increase the audio volume and manipulated in a second mannerto decrease the audio volume. The second manner for manipulating theinterface element 366A can be the same as, and/or different from, thefirst manner. In one embodiment, the interface element 366A can bepushed (or turned) in a first direction to increase the audio volume andcan be pushed (or turned) in a second (or opposite) direction todecrease the audio volume. Alternatively, the interface element 366A canbe pushed once to increase the audio volume and pushed twice insuccession (and/or pushed a second time) to decrease the audio volume.

The selected interface elements 366A-D can become apparent via thearmrest covering 388B in any conventional manner. FIG. 2B, for example,shows that the interface elements 366A, 366D, upon becoming apparent,can extend from the user interface system 360 and engage the armrestcovering 388B. By extending from the user interface system 360 andengaging the armrest covering 388B, each of the apparent interfaceelements 366A, 366D can form a raised projection (or bump) 388C at anassociated region of the armrest covering 388B. Each projection 388C ofthe armrest covering 388B can be provided with any suitable size, shape,and/or dimension and can extend from the armrest covering 388B (and/orthe user interface system 360) by any predetermined distance. Thepredetermined distance can be within any preselected range of distances,such as any half-millimeter range between one-half millimeter and threemillimeters (or more).

The predetermined distances by which the projections 388C extend fromthe armrest covering 388B can be the same, and/or different, among theapparent interface elements 366A, 366D. For example, one or moreboundary interface elements 366BND (shown in FIGS. 17A-B) can formprojections 388C that define a boundary that at least partiallysurrounds one or more other projections 388C formed by one or moreemphasized interface elements 366APP (shown in FIGS. 17A-B). In otherwords, the emphasized interface elements 366APP can include one or moreboundary interface elements 366BND. The boundary interface elements366BND alternatively can comprise interface elements 366 other than theemphasized interface elements 366APP.

Although emphasized in the manner set forth above with reference to theemphasized interface elements 366APP, the emphasis applied to theboundary interface elements 366BND preferably differs from the emphasisapplied to the emphasized interface elements 366APP such that theboundary interface elements 366BND and the emphasized interface elements366APP are visually distinguishable. The first projections 388C formedby the boundary interface elements 366BND can extend from the armrestcovering 388B by first predetermined distances; whereas, the secondprojections 388C formed by the emphasized interface elements 366APP canextend from the armrest covering 388B by second predetermined distances.Although the first predetermined distance and the second predetermineddistance can comprise uniform distances, the first predetermineddistances preferably are different from the second predetermineddistances to enable the boundary interface elements 366BND to be readilydistinguished from the emphasized interface elements 366APP.

The second projections 388C formed by the emphasized interface elements366APP can be manipulated to initiate the preselected control functionsin the manner set forth above. In one embodiment, at least one of theboundary interface elements 366BND can comprise emphasized interfaceelements 366APP. The boundary interface elements 366BND, upon becomingapparent, can form first projections 388C that can be manipulated toinitiate the preselected control functions like the emphasized interfaceelements 366APP. In an alternative embodiment, one or more of theboundary interface elements 366BND can be inert and cannot bemanipulated to initiate preselected control functions.

Additionally, and/or alternatively, the boundary can be formed with theother types of observable emphasis, such as illumination and/orpresentation of control indicia, for the boundary interface elements366BND. The boundary interface elements 366BND, for example, can beilluminated with a different color than the emphasized interfaceelements 366APP. The boundary interface elements 366BND optionally canpresent control indicia for identifying the emphasized interfaceelements 366APP as being activated for manipulation to initiate thepreselected control functions. The control indicia, for example, canprovide textual and/or graphic indicia for identifying the preselectedcontrol function(s) associated with the emphasized interface elements366APP in the manner discussed in more detail below.

The projections 388C enable the user chair 382 to present the apparentinterface elements 366A, 366D with a tactile feel for facilitatingmanipulation of the apparent interface elements 366A, 366D. In otherwords, the apparent interface elements 366A, 366D can be actuated bymanipulating the respective projections 388C formed on the armrestcovering 388B. The armrest covering 388B optionally can be provided as apliable armrest covering that enables formation and/or manipulation ofthe projections 388C. Stated somewhat differently, the armrest covering388B preferably is formed from a supple material such as leather orsuede. The material forming the armrest covering 388B can be the sameas, or different from, material covering other chair components of theuser chair 382.

One or more of the selected interface elements 366A-D alternatively,and/or additionally, can become apparent by becoming visible at thearmrest covering 388B. For example, the interface element 366C, uponbecoming apparent, can become visible 388D at an associated region ofthe armrest covering 388B as illustrated in FIG. 2B and can be actuatedby manipulating the associated region of the armrest covering 388B inthe manner set forth above. The selected interface elements 366A-D canbecome visible at the armrest covering 388B in any conventional manner,including by becoming illuminated, by presenting control indicia, and/orby otherwise becoming observably emphasized. Exemplary control indiciacan include function icons 367 (shown in FIG. 6B) that represent thepreselected control functions associated with the selected interfaceelements 366 when the selected interface elements 366 are activated.

The function icons 367 can provide textual and/or graphic indicia foridentifying the preselected control function(s) associated with theselected interface elements 366 and can be presented in any conventionalmanner. If the preselected control functionality of the selectedinterface elements 366 is fully programmable, for instance, the selectedinterface elements 366 can be programmed to provide the function icons367. In a preferred embodiment, the armrest covering 388B is formed froma translucent material that enables observable emphasis provided by theapparent interface element 366C to pass through the armrest covering388B and/or manipulation of the apparent interface element 366C via thearmrest covering 388B. In other words, the apparent interface element366C and/or any control indicia associated with the control the apparentinterface element 366C can be backlit and thereby can become visiblethrough the armrest covering 388B.

When the user hand approaches, and becomes proximate to, the userinterface system 360, one or more of the interface elements 366 mayremain obscured by the armrest covering 388B; while, other interfaceelements 366 become apparent. Selection of which interface elements 366remain obscured and which interface elements 366 become apparent candepend upon any selected criteria, including a predetermined applicationof the user interface system 360. In other words, the number and/orarrangement of activated interface elements 366 can be based at least inpart upon a type of user interface that is suitable for interacting withthe relevant system resource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/or theassociated resource function(s)) available by way of the informationsystem 100 (shown in FIG. 1). If the predetermined application is agame, for example, the user interface system 360 can present anappropriate arrangement of one or more activated interface elements 366to provide a gaming interface system 360GAME (shown in FIGS. 8A-B, 9A-B,10A-B, and 11A-B) for playing one or more user games available by way ofthe information system 100.

Any of the interface elements 366 that remain obscured by the armrestcovering 388B are inactive and cannot be utilized to interact with thesystem resource(s) 110 (and/or the associated resource function(s))available by way of the information system 100. As illustrated in FIGS.2A-B, for example, the interface elements 366A, 366C, 366D can becomeapparent in the manner discussed in more detail above when the user handapproaches, and becomes proximate to, the user interface system 360;however, the interface element 366B can remain recessed within the chaircompartment 388A or otherwise obscured by the armrest covering 388B.Although shown and described as comprising a particular arrangement offour interface elements 366A-D disposed at the selected armrest 388 forpurposes of illustration only, each user interface system 360 cancomprise any preselected number and/or arrangement of interface elements366 and can be disposed at any suitable location of the user chair 382as desired.

The user interface system 360 can be provided with any physicalcharacteristics, such as size (and/or dimension) and/or shape (and/orgeometry), as desired. The interface elements 366 likewise can beprovided with any suitable physical characteristics. Exemplary physicalcharacteristics of the interface elements 366 include a quantity, size,shape, spacing, and/or arrangement of the interface elements 366. Thephysical characteristics of the user interface system 360 and/or theinterface elements 366 preferably are based upon at least the locationof the user chair 382 at which the user interface system 360 isdisposed, a size and/or shape of the location, and/or the type(s) ofcontrol interfaces suitable for interacting with the system resource(s)110 (and/or the associated resource function(s)) available by way of theinformation system 100.

In one embodiment, the user interface system 360 is fully programmable(or reprogrammable). Stated somewhat differently, the interface elements366 of the user interface system 360 can be automatically configured (orreconfigured) to remain obscured and/or to become apparent forperforming any suitable preselected control function(s) when the userinterface system 360 is activated to interact with a selected systemresource(s) 110 (and/or the associated resource function(s)). In oneembodiment, each system resource 110 is associated with one or moreselected interface elements 366, and the selected interface elements 366can be programmed to be selectively activated to provide the preselectedcontrol function(s) appropriate for the selected system resource 110.The predetermined interface elements 366 thereby are fullyinterchangeable and can be programmed to provide a first preselectedcontrol function if installed in a second user chair 382 and to providea first preselected control function if installed in a second user chair382. Selection and arrangement of the relevant interface elements 366,for example, can be configured to automatically accommodatepredetermined user preferences, such as those of right-handed andleft-handed users.

Advantageously, the observable emphasis of the selected interfaceelements 366 likewise can be programmable or configurable. The userinterface system 360 can support multicolor illumination of the selectedinterface elements 366 in one embodiment. The illumination and/orcontrol indicia of the selected interface elements 366 can be based, forexample, upon the system resource(s) 110 (and/or the associated resourcefunction(s)) that is selected. Thereby, a selected interface element 366can present a first color (or first control indicia) when a first systemresource 110 is selected and a second color (or second control indicia)when a second system resource 110 is selected. The observable emphasispreferably provides guidance for using the user interface system 360 toprovide the preselected control functions to the relevant systemresource(s) 110.

If the user chair 382 is configured for use with an information system100 that includes first and second system resources 110, for example,the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 2A-B can be automaticallyconfigured to interact with the system resources 110. The user interfacesystem 360 can be obscured from view when a user is distal from the userinterface system 360 in the manner set forth above. When a hand of theuser becomes proximate to the user interface system 360 and indicates adesire to interact with the first system resource 110, the interfaceelements 366A, 366D can be activated for providing preselected controlfunction(s) to the first system resource 110; while, the interfaceelements 366B, 366C remain obscured. Activation of the interfaceelements 366A, 366D can include enabling the interface elements 366A,366D to present suitable control indicia for utilizing the userinterface system 360 to provide the preselected control function(s) tothe first system resource 110. A subsequent indication of a desire tointeract with the second system resource 110 can activate the interfaceelements 366C, 366D for providing preselected control function(s) to thesecond system resource 110 and for presenting suitable control indiciafor utilizing the user interface system 360 to provide the preselectedcontrol function(s) to the second system resource 110. The interfaceelement 366C becomes obscured, and the interface element 366B remainsobscured.

The control over the user interface system 360 can be implemented in anyconventional manner, such as via one or more hardware components and/orsoftware components associated with the user chair 382 and/or theinformation system 100. In one embodiment, the control over the userinterface system 360 can comprise a computer program product forcontrolling the user interface system 360 provided at the user chair382, wherein the computer program product is encoded on more or moremachine-readable storage media. The hardware components and/or softwarecomponents can, for example, provide a plurality of instructions forcontrolling the user interface system 360 provided at the user chair382. Exemplary control instructions can include instruction for visuallyobscuring the interface elements 366 when a user is distal from the userinterface system 360, instruction for activating and/or emphasizingselected interface elements 366 when a hand of the user becomesproximate to the user interface system 360 and/or indicates a desire tointeract with a selected system resource 110, instruction formaintaining the visual obscurity of any interface elements 366 that arenot utilized to interact with the selected system resource 110, and/orinstruction for visually obscuring the interface elements 366 of theuser interface system 360 when the user interface system 360 is in anidle mode and/or in a powered-down mode.

To avoid inadvertent activation, the user may be required to execute adistinctive act, such as perform a predetermined hand gesture adjacentto the user interface system 360, for indicating a desire to utilize theuser interface system 360. The distinctive act can simply activate(and/or deactivate) the user interface system 360 in one embodiment.Alternatively, and/or additionally, each predetermined application ofthe user interface system 360 can be associated with a differentdistinctive act. In other words, selection of which interface elements366 remain obscured and which interface elements 366 become apparent candepend upon the distinctive act performed. The user interface system 360likewise can be deactivated by performance of a distinctive act fordeactivating the user interface system 360. Once a selected distinctiveact is performed, the user interface system 360 can present apreselected number and/or arrangement of interface elements 366 suitablefor utilizing the associated application of the user interface system360.

If the user interface system 360 comprises a plurality of user interfaceportions disposed at respective locations of the user chair 382, aselected distinctive act can activate an individual user interfaceportion, two or more predetermined user interface portions as aninterface portion group, and/or all user interface portions. Selectionof the user interface portions to be activated can be based upon anyselected criteria, including a predetermined application of the userinterface system 360. In other words, the activation of the userinterface portions can be based upon the nature of the interaction withthe system resource(s) 110 (and/or the associated resource function(s))available by way of the information system 100. The selected distinctiveact can be performed adjacent to any interface portion of the userinterface system 360 in one embodiment. In an alternative embodiment,the selected distinctive act is performed adjacent to a predeterminedinterface portion located, for example, at a right armrest 388R (shownin FIG. 3) of the user chair 382. The user interface system 360 therebycan be activated for facilitating interaction with the systemresource(s) 110 (and/or the associated resource function(s)) availableby way of the information system 100 in the manner set forth above.

Turning to FIG. 3, another exemplary embodiment of the user chair 382 isshown, wherein the user interface system 360 includes left and rightuser interface systems 360L, 360R that are respectively disposed at leftand right armrests 388L, 388R of the user chair 382. Although the leftand right user interface systems 360L, 360R can comprise independentuser interface systems 360 for supporting separate interaction with thesystem resource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/or the associated resourcefunction(s)) available by way of the information system 100, the leftand right user interface systems 360L, 360R preferably form a compositeuser interface system 360C for interacting with the system resources110. The left and right user interface systems 360L, 360R each cancomprise one or more interface elements 366 in the manner discussed inmore detail above with reference the user interface system 360 of FIGS.2A-B. Advantageously, the left user interface system 360L can be thesame as, or different from, the right user interface system 360R.

In the manner discussed above, the interface elements 366 can beobscured from view when a user is distal from the user interface system360C, and one or more selected interface elements 366 can becomeapparent when the hand of the user approaches, and becomes proximate to,the user interface system 360L and/or the user interface system 360R.The interface elements 366 of the user interface systems 360L, 360R caninclude a plurality of conventional control elements of any kind,including mechanical, electrical, and/or virtual control elements, thatcan be selectably activated for enabling interaction with theinformation system 100 without limitation. Exemplary control elementscan comprise one or more switches, such as a pushbutton, a keyboard, ora keypad, a pointing device, such as a mouse or trackball, a touch pad(or touch point) 366TCH (shown in FIGS. 20A-B), a touch screen displaysystem, and/or any other conventional types of control elements withoutlimitation. The interface elements 366 can be provided in any manner,including physically disposing the interface elements 366 at the userchair 382 and/or virtually disposing the interface elements 366 at theuser chair 382, such as by projecting the interface elements 366 ontoone or more selected locations (or regions) of the user chair 382.

In one embodiment, the user interface system 360 can include a touchfilm interface system (or layer), such as a capacitive sensor system.Exemplary touch film interface systems are set forth in the co-pendingU.S. patent application, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERACTINGWITH INFORMATION SYSTEMS,” Ser. No. 12/897,589, filed on Oct. 4, 2010,which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety and for all purposes. One or more of the interface elements 366can incorporate the touch film interface system to form touch pads (ortouch points) 366TCH (shown in FIGS. 20A-B). The touch points can beprovided in any conventional manner, such as via one or moreconventional pushbuttons. More preferably, at least one of the touchpoints can comprise a capacitive button for detecting an approach of ahand (or finger) of a user prior to actual contact with the touch point.The touch points can be associated with a selected armrest 388 of theuser chair 382. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the user interfacesystem 360 can include a proximity sensor (not shown) for detecting theuser hand. Use of the proximity sensor system and/or capacitive buttonscan enable the user interface system 360 to be actuated prior to actualcontact with a touch point. As desired, the proximity sensor system canbe adapted to detect a user hand adjacent to any relevant portion of theuser interface system 360.

The proximity sensor system and/or the touch points preferably are fullyprogrammable in the manner set forth above. In other words, each touchpoint can include a dedicated processing system, such as amicroprocessors (μPs), central processing units (CPUs),application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), and/or digital signal processors (DSPs) of anykind. For example, a touch sensitivity of the capacitive buttons can beadjusted to any suitable sensitivity. The touch sensitivity can be setwith a higher sensitivity such that the touch point can sense a userhand positioned above the user interface system 360 by about an inch ormore and/or with a lower sensitivity such that physical contact betweenthe user hand and the touch point is required. The higher touchsensitivities, for instance, can be used to sense distinctive acts, sucha predetermined hand gestures, for indicating a desire to utilize theuser interface system 360 in the manner discussed in more detail above.

In the manner discussed above, the touch points of the user interfacesystem 360 can be obscured from view (or otherwise de-emphasized) when auser is distal from the user interface system 360 and can becomeapparent (or otherwise emphasized) when the user (and/or a hand of theuser) approaches, and becomes proximate to, the user interface system360. In one embodiment, the touch points can be illuminated or otherwiseobservably emphasized as desired, such as when the user indicates adesire to utilize the user interface system 360, and/or can be obscuredfrom view or otherwise de-emphasized when utilization of the userinterface system 360 is not desired. The touch point, for example, canbecome obscured immediately upon sensing that the user hand iswithdrawing from (and/or has been withdrawn from) the user interfacesystem 360 and/or can obscure the user interface system 360 after apredetermined time period has elapsed after the user hand has beenwithdrawn. The predetermined time period can be within any predeterminedrange of time periods, such as any ten-second range between ten secondsand sixty seconds (or more).

An alternative embodiment of the user chair 382 of FIG. 3 is shown inFIGS. 4A-D. Turning to FIGS. 4A-B, the user chair 382 includes a userinterface system 360 that is disposed at the left armrest 388L and/orthe right armrest 388R of the user chair 382 and that is provided in themanner discussed in more detail above with reference to the userinterface system 360 of FIG. 3. The user interface system 360 isillustrated as comprising a plurality of interface elements 366 that aredisposed in an array (or matrix) arrangement 366MAT. Each matrix 366MATcan be provided with any suitable dimension and can include anypredetermined number of interface elements 366 with any preselectedspacing between adjacent interface elements 366. The matrix 366MAT isillustrated in FIGS. 4A-B are comprising rows and columns of interfaceelements 366, wherein the columns are parallel with a longitudinal axisof the selected armrest 388 for purposes of illustration, not oflimitation. The rows and/or columns of interface elements 366 can beoriented at any preselected angle relative to the longitudinal axis ofthe selected armrest 388. The preselected angle can be within anypredetermined range of angles, such as any five-degree range betweenzero degrees and forty-five degrees (or more).

The number, spacing, and/or arrangement of the interface elements 366can be the same, and/or different, among the matrices 366MAT. Preferablydisposed adjacent to a distal end region 388E of the relevant armrest388 upon which a user hand normally would rest, each matrix 366MAT canspan a predetermined width 388W and/or a predetermined length 388X ofthe relevant armrest 388. The predetermined length 388X can be withinany preselected range of lengths, such as any one-inch range between oneinch and twelve inches (or longer). In other words, the width 388W of aselected matrix 366MAT can comprise a preselected percentage of a widthW of the relevant armrest 388; whereas, the length 388X of the selectedmatrix 366MAT can comprise a preselected percentage of a length L of therelevant armrest 388.

The width 388W can be within any preselected range of percentages of thewidth W, such as any five-percent range between ten percent and ninetypercent (or more). The length 388X can be within any preselected rangeof percentages of the length L, such as any five-percent range betweenten percent and fifty percent (or more). In one embodiment, the matrix366MAT can comprise a rectangular grid 366GRD (shown in FIG. 5A) ofinterface elements 366 with a predetermined number of rows and apredetermined number of columns. Preferably comprising a subset of theinterface elements 366 forming the matrix 366MAT, the interface elements366 associated with the rectangular grid 366GRD can be oriented at anypreselected angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the selectedarmrest 388 in the manner discussed above with reference to the matrix366MAT.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4A-B, the interface elements 366 forming atleast one of the matrices 366MAT can be provided as de-emphasizedinterface elements 366OBS when the user is distal from the matrices366MAT. When the user hand approaches, and becomes proximate to, thematrices 366MAT, one or more selected interface elements 366 can becomeemphasized interface elements 366APP as shown in FIGS. 4C-D. Theinterface elements 366 forming the matrices 366MAT preferably can bede-emphasized and/or emphasized in the manner discussed above withreference to FIGS. 1-3. FIGS. 4C-D illustrate an embodiment of the userinterface system 360, wherein each interface element 366 of bothmatrices 366MAT comprise emphasized interface elements 366APP and areactivated for interacting with the system resource(s) 110 (shown inFIG. 1) (and/or the associated resource function(s)) available by way ofthe information system 100.

Turning to FIGS. 4E-F, the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 4A-B isshown as including matrices 366MAT, wherein a portion of the interfaceelement 366 become emphasized interface elements 366APP when the userhand approaches, and becomes proximate to, the matrices 366MAT. Theemphasized interface elements 366APP can be the same, and/or different,among the matrices 366MAT and optionally forms a pattern forfacilitating use of the user interface system 360. The pattern, forexample, can include predetermined emphasized interface elements 366APPof a selected matrix 366MAT that define a boundary for other emphasizedinterface elements 366APP of the selected matrix 366MAT in the mannerdiscussed above with reference to FIGS. 2A-B. In the manner set forthabove, one or more of the matrices 366MAT advantageously can beprogrammable or configurable, enabling the user interface system 360 tobe customized for selecting interface elements 366 suitable forinteracting with the system resource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/orthe associated resource function(s)) available by way of the informationsystem 100.

FIG. 5A illustrates an alternative embodiment of the matrix 366MAT(shown in FIGS. 4A-F). The matrix 366MAT comprises de-emphasizedinterface elements 366OBS when the user is distal from the userinterface system 360 as set forth above. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, whenthe user hand approaches, and becomes proximate to, the user interfacesystem 360, a plurality of the interface elements 366 become emphasizedinterface elements 366APP that form a rectangular grid 366GRD. Therectangular grid 366GRD has a predetermined number of rows of theemphasized interface elements 366APP and a predetermined number ofcolumns of the emphasized interface elements 366APP. The emphasizedinterface elements 366APP within the rectangular grid 366GRD of the userinterface system 360 thereby can cooperate to form a track pad (orpanel) for interacting with the system resource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1)(and/or the associated resource function(s)) available by way of theinformation system 100.

In one embodiment, one or more other interface element 366 of the matrix366MAT can become apparent as additional emphasized interface elements366APP when the user hand approaches, and becomes proximate to, the userinterface system 360. The additional emphasized interface elements366APP, upon becoming apparent, can form at least one other control (inaddition to the rectangular grid 366GRD) for the user interface system360 at the selected armrest 388. In other words, the rectangular grid366GRD can be provided as part of a more extensive user interface system360 disposed at the armrest 388. The rectangular grid 366GRD likewisecan be utilized in conjunction with one or more other user interfacesystems 360 disposed at the other armrest 388 and/or other locations ofthe user chair 382 to form a composite user interface system 360C (shownin FIG. 3).

Another alternative embodiment of the matrix 366MAT is illustrated inFIGS. 5B-C. Turning to FIG. 5B, the matrix 366MAT is shown as comprisinga rectangular grid 366GRD. The rectangular grid 366GRD has apredetermined number of rows of interface elements 366 and apredetermined number of columns of interface elements 366. The rows andcolumns can have any predetermined number of interface elements 366 andcan be within any preselected range, such as any range between oneinterface element 366 and sixteen (or more) interface elements 366. Asdesired, the rows can have a predetermined number of interface elements366 that is the same as, or different from, the predetermined number ofinterface elements 366 in the columns. Preferably disposed adjacent to adistal end region 388E of the relevant armrest 388 upon which a userhand normally would rest, the rectangular grid 366GRD can span a width388W and/or a predetermined length 388X of the relevant armrest 388.

In the manner discussed above with reference to the matrix 366MAT (shownin FIGS. 4A-F), the rectangular grid 366GRD comprises de-emphasizedinterface elements 366OBS when the user is distal from the rectangulargrid 366GRD as set forth above. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, when the userhand approaches, and becomes proximate to, the user interface system360, each interface element 366 within the rectangular grid 366GRDbecomes an emphasized interface element 366APP. The emphasized interfaceelements 366APP within the rectangular grid 366GRD, upon becomingapparent, can cooperate to form a track pad (or panel) for interactingwith the system resource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/or the associatedresource function(s)) available by way of the information system 100 inthe manner discussed above with reference to FIG. 5A. The user interfacesystem 360 disposed at the selected armrest 388 is the rectangular grid366GRD, and/or the rectangular grid 366GRD typically is not utilizedwith any additional emphasized interface elements 366APP. Therectangular grid 366GRD however can be utilized in conjunction with oneor more other user interface systems 360 disposed at the other armrest388 and/or other locations of the user chair 382 to form a compositeuser interface system 360C (shown in FIG. 3).

Turning to FIG. 6A, a video interface system 362 and/or an audiointerface system 364 (shown in FIGS. 26A-B) can be associated with theuser chair 382 and provided as a portion of the user interface system360. The interaction with the information system 100, in other words,can be performed via the interface element 366 in conjunction with thevideo interface system 362 and/or the audio interface system 364. Thevideo interface system 362 and/or the audio interface system 364preferably are provided in a manner to avoid physical interference witha user as the user approaches (and/or sits in) the user chair 382,utilizes the user interface system 360, and departs (and/or arises from)the user chair 382. The video interface system 362, for example, canface the user chair 382 and be disposed out of arm's reach as shown inFIG. 22B. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the video interface system362 can be mounted at the user chair 382, such as at a selected armrest388 of the user chair 382 as illustrated in FIG. 22A. The audiointerface system 364 likewise can be disposed proximally to, and/ordistally from, the user chair 382. As desired, the audio interfacesystem 364 can be integrated with the user chair 382.

Operation of the video interface system 362 and/or the audio interfacesystem 364 can be controlled in any conventional manner. The userinterface system 360, for example, can be utilized to control the videointerface system 362. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the user interfacesystem 360 can include at least one interface element 366DSP that, uponbecoming apparent, can be manipulated to control the video interfacesystem 362. The video interface system 362, for example, can be at leastactivated and/or deactivated via the interface element 366DSP. In oneembodiment, the interface element 366DSP can control one or more otherconventional operations, such as brightness, contrast, tint, etc., ofthe video interface system 362. FIG. 6B shows that the interface element366DSP that, upon becoming apparent, can be observably emphasized, suchas by presenting a video function icon 367DSP. The function icon 367DSPcan represent the type(s) of control over the video interface system 362that can be achieved by manipulation of the interface element 366DSP.

Alternatively, and/or additionally, operation of the audio interfacesystem 364 likewise can be controlled via the user interface system 360.In the manner discussed above with reference to the selected interfaceelement 366, the user interface system 360 can include at least oneselected interface element 366 that, upon becoming apparent, can bemanipulated to control the audio interface system 364. The audiointerface system 364, for example, can be at least activated and/ordeactivated via the selected interface element 366. In one embodiment,the selected interface element 366 can control one or more otherconventional operations, such as volume, tone, balance, etc., of theaudio interface system 364. The selected interface element 366, uponbecoming apparent, can be observably emphasized, such as by presentingan associated function icon 367. The function icon 367 can represent thetype(s) of control over the audio interface system 364 that can beachieved by manipulation of the selected interface element 366.

When the user indicates a desire to interact with a selected systemresource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/or the associated resourcefunction(s)) available by way of the information system 100, one or moreselected interface elements 366 can be activated as emphasized interfaceelements 366APP for providing preselected control function(s) to theselected system resource 110; while, other interface elements 366 canremain obscured as de-emphasized interface elements 366OBS (shown inFIG. 5A) in the manner set forth in more detail above with reference tothe user interface system 360 of FIGS. 1-3. As desired, the videointerface system 362 and/or the audio interface system 364 likewise canbe activated to facilitate the interaction with the selected systemresource 110. The video interface system 362 and/or the audio interfacesystem 364 can be activated, for example, to provide visible and/oraudible feedback for the emphasized interface elements 366APP.

In one embodiment, the video interface system 362 and/or the audiointerface system 364 can present a listing (or catalogue) of the systemresource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/or the associated resourcefunction(s)) available by way of the information system 100. The videointerface system 362, for example, can be activated to present controlindicia 262Y (shown in FIGS. 6B and 7C), and the emphasized interfaceelements 366APP of the user interface system 360 can be manipulated toselect among the control indicia 262Y when the user indicates a desireto interact with the selected system resource 110. The video interfacesystem 362, for example, can present the control indicia 262Y and acursor 262X (shown in FIGS. 6B and 7C). A position of the cursor 262Xrelative to the control indicia 262Y presented on the video interfacesystem 362 can be adjusted via the user interface system 360. When thecursor 262X is positioned at a predetermined control indicia 262Y, theuser interface system 360 can be actuated to select the predeterminedcontrol indicia 262Y, initiating the associated function of the selectedsystem resource 110.

FIG. 6B shows the user interface systems 360 of FIGS. 5A-C beingutilized in conjunction with the video interface system 362 of FIG. 6A.The user interface system 360 of FIG. 6B can be provided as arectangular grid 366GRD of interface elements 366 in the mannerdescribed above. The interface elements 366 within the rectangular grid366GRD can be mapped to corresponding regions of the video interfacesystem 362. The video interface system 362, for example, can present thecontrol indicia 262Y in the form of a (hierarchical) menu structure (orsystem) 262, wherein the control indicia 262Y comprise menu optionsassociated with a selected level of the menu system 262.

The menu system 262 can provide an organized manner for presenting theavailable system resource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/or theassociated resource function(s)). In one embodiment, the menu system 262can be provided in the manner set forth in the co-pending U.S. patentapplication, entitled “PORTABLE USER CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD FORVEHICLE INFORMATION SYSTEMS,” Ser. No. 12/210,689, filed on Sep. 15,2008, which is assigned to the assignee of the present application andthe disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference inits entirety and for all purposes. In one embodiment, the menu system262 can include a welcome menu level and/or an instruction menu thatprovides user instruction for operating the user interface system 360.The welcome menu level, for example, can include a name and/or otherselected user information and/or, in a transportation environment, caninclude travel information, such as a departure time, a departurelocation, an arrival time, and/or a destination city.

The user interface system 360, for example, can be locked with the userfirst approaches the user chair 382. The instruction menu can provideuser instruction for unlocking the user interface system 360. In oneembodiment, the user interface system 360 can be unlocked (and/orrelocked) by performing a predetermined hand gesture adjacent to theuser interface system 360.

The interface elements 366 within the rectangular grid 366GRD can bemapped to the control indicia 262Y as presented by the video interfacesystem 362. To facilitate the mapping between the interface elements 366and the video interface system 362, the control indicia 262Y of the menusystem 262 preferably are presented in a manner consistent with theinterface elements 366. For example, since the interface elements 366 ofthe user interface system 360 of FIG. 6B are illustrated as forming therectangular grid 366GRD, the control indicia 262Y of the menu system 262likewise are shown as being presented as being in a rectangular gridarrangement. Although shown and described as a rectangular grid ofcontrol indicia 262Y, the menu system 262 can be presented with anypredetermined arrangement of control indicia 262Y that is consistentwith the arrangement of the emphasized interface elements 366APP of theuser interface system 360. The menu system 262 and associated menuoperations can comprise an example of a selected system resource(s) 110(shown in FIG. 1) (and/or the associated resource function(s)) availableby way of the information system 100.

The interface elements 366 within the rectangular grid 366GRD, uponbecoming apparent, can comprise emphasized interface elements 366APP inthe manner set forth above. The emphasized interface elements 366APP canbe manipulated to guide a cursor 262X toward selected control indicia262Z. The rectangular grid 366GRD is illustrated in FIG. 6B as includingoptional boundary interface elements 366BND. The boundary interfaceelements 366BND preferably are correlated with a predetermined boundaryof the menu system 262 and/or a predetermined boundary of the videointerface system 362. Thereby, the cursor 262X remains within the boundsof the menu system 262 and/or the video interface system 362.

The presentation of the cursor 262X and the menu system 262 on the videointerface system 362 can provide useful feedback for enabling userorientation. In other words, by viewing the position of the cursor 262Xon the video interface system 362, the user can determine any additionalmanipulation of the emphasized interface elements 366APP for moving thecursor 262X adjacent to the selected control indicia 262Z. The videointerface system 362 thereby can provide user-feedback for controllingmovement of the cursor 262X relative to the selected control indicia262Z. The graphical user interaction design for the video interfacesystem 362 preferably is synchronized with the emphasized interfaceelements 366APP to facilitate providing relevant feedback for eachmanipulation of the user interface system 360. The user interface system360 advantageously enables the user to navigate (and/or browse) the menusystem 262 and to otherwise interact with the system resource(s) 110(and/or the associated resource function(s)) available by way of theinformation system 100.

The user interface system 360 of FIGS. 5A-C can be utilized in a widerange of system applications. FIGS. 7A-C illustrate an exemplarytelephone application for the user interface system 360. In other words,a telephone application is another example of a selected systemresource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/or the associated resourcefunction(s)) available by way of the information system 100, wherein oneor more selected interface elements 366 can be activated for providingpreselected control function(s) to the selected system resource 110.Turning to FIG. 7A, the user interface system 360 is shown as includinga plurality of interface elements 366 that are disposed at a selectedarmrest 388 in an alternative rectangular grid arrangement 366GRD. Thealternative rectangular grid 366GRD can be provided any manner,including in the manners set forth above with reference to therectangular grids 366GRD (shown in FIGS. 5A-C), wherein the interfaceelements 366 are disposed in a conventional telephone key padarrangement.

As illustrated in FIG. 7A, the interface elements 366 of the alternativerectangular grid 366GRD can be provided as de-emphasized interfaceelements 366OBS when the user is distal from the matrices 366MAT. Whenthe user hand approaches, and becomes proximate to, the alternativerectangular grid 366GRD, the interface elements 366 forming thealternative rectangular grid 366GRD can become emphasized interfaceelements 366APP as shown in FIG. 7B. The interface elements 366 formingthe alternative rectangular grid 366GRD preferably can be de-emphasizedand/or emphasized in the manner discussed in more detail above withreference to FIGS. 1-3. For example, the interface elements 366 formingthe alternative rectangular grid 366GRD can become visible at theselected armrest 388 in any conventional manner, including by becomingilluminated, by presenting control indicia, and/or by otherwise becomingobservably emphasized. The interface elements 366 preferably presentcontrol indicia associated with a conventional telephone keypad, such asthe numbers/letters associated with each telephone key.

In one embodiment, the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 7A-B can beutilized in conjunction with a video interface system 362 (shown inFIGS. 6A-B) and/or an audio interface system 364 (shown in FIGS. 26A-B)in the manner discussed in more detail above with reference to FIGS.6A-B. FIG. 7C, for example, illustrates the user interface system 360being utilized in conjunction with the video interface system 362 ofFIG. 6A. In the manner set forth above with reference to FIG. 6B, theinterface elements 366 within the rectangular grid 366GRD can be mappedto corresponding regions of the video interface system 362. Theinterface elements 366 optionally can include at least one interfaceelement 366DSP (shown in FIG. 6B) that, upon becoming apparent, can bemanipulated to control the video interface system 362.

The video interface system 362 is shown as presenting a conventionaltelephone key pad, such as the numbers and/or letters associated witheach respective telephone key, wherein the individual buttons of thetelephone key pad are associated with respective control indicia 262Y.The interface elements 366 within the rectangular grid 366GRD can bemapped to the control indicia 262Y as presented by the video interfacesystem 362 and, upon becoming apparent, can comprise emphasizedinterface elements 366APP in the manner set forth above. The emphasizedinterface elements 366APP can be manipulated to guide a cursor 262Xamong the control indicia 262Y for dialing a telephone number orotherwise initiating a telephone call. As discussed above, thepresentation of the cursor 262X and the telephone key pad on the videointerface system 362 can provide useful feedback for enabling userorientation. The video interface system 362 optionally can providefeedback by presenting the telephone number as dialed as shown in FIG.7C.

Alternatively, and/or additionally, the user interface system 360 can beutilized in conjunction with an audio interface system 364 (shown inFIGS. 26A-B). The audio interface system 364 advantageously can supporttwo-way voice communications associated with conventional telephonecommunications. As desired, the selected system resource 110 can supportdata communications, including full duplex data communications and/orhalf duplex data communications. In one embodiment, the user interfacesystem 360 can enable the user to initiate an outgoing telephone calland/or to receive an incoming telephone call via the selected systemresource 110 (shown in FIG. 1). When the selected system resource 110receives an incoming call, the user interface system 360, the videointerface system 362, and/or an audio interface system 364 can providean alert. The video interface system 362, for example, can present avisible incoming call notification, and/or the audio interface system364 can provide an audible incoming call notification, such as bypresenting a preselected ring tone. One or more of the interfaceelements 366 of the user interface system 360 optionally can notify theuser of the incoming call by becoming observably emphasized in themanner discussed above. The interface elements 366, for example, canflash or otherwise illuminate when the incoming call is received.

When the user indicates a desire to interact with the selected systemresource 110 to initiate and/or receive a telephone call by way of theinformation system 100, one or more selected interface elements 366 canbe activated as emphasized interface elements 366APP for providingpreselected control function(s) to the selected system resource 110 inthe manner set forth in more detail above with reference to the userinterface system 360 of FIGS. 1-3. Other interface elements 366 canremain obscured as de-emphasized interface elements 366OBS (shown inFIG. 5A). As shown in FIG. 7C, the video interface system 362 and/or theaudio interface system 364 can be activated to facilitate theinteraction with the selected system resource 110. The user interfacesystem 360 advantageously enables the user to initiate and/or receivetelephone calls via the system resource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/orthe associated resource function(s)) available by way of the informationsystem 100.

Another illustrative system application of the user interface system 360of FIGS. 5A-C is as a gaming interface system 360GAME. Exemplary gaminginterface applications for the user interface system 360 are shown anddescribed with reference to FIGS. 8A-B, 9A-B, 10A-B, and 11A-B. In otherwords, support for one or more user games is another example of aselected system resource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/or the associatedresource function(s)) available by way of the information system 100,wherein one or more selected interface elements 366 can be activated forproviding preselected control function(s) to the selected systemresource 110. The user interface system 360 is shown as including aplurality of interface elements 366 that can be disposed at one armrest388, both armrests 388, and/or any other suitable location of the userchair 382.

In one embodiment, the gaming interface system 360GAME can be formed viaone or more selected interface elements 366 of the user interface system360. Stated somewhat differently, a plurality of selected interfaceelements 366 can cooperate to form a composite gaming interface element366GAME for the user interface system 360. The gaming interface system360GAME can comprise any suitable number and/or arrangement of theselected interface elements 366. If disposed at both armrests 388, thenumber and/or arrangement of the selected interface elements 366disposed at the left user interface system 360L can be the same as,and/or different from, a number and/or arrangement of the selectedinterface elements 366 disposed at the right user interface system 360R.In other words, the gaming interface system 360GAME provided by the leftuser interface system 360L can be the same as, and/or different from,the gaming interface system 360GAME provided by the right user interfacesystem 360R. The selected interface elements 366 for each user interfacesystem 360L, 360R can be provided any manner, including in the mannersset forth above with reference to the rectangular grids 366GRD (shown inFIGS. 5A-C), wherein the interface elements 366 are disposed in aconventional and/or customized gaming interface arrangement of any kind,and without limitation.

Turning to FIG. 8A, the user interface system 360 is illustrating asproviding a gaming interface system 360GAME that comprises a rectangulargrid 366GRD of interface elements 366 that is oriented at a preselectedangle of forty-five degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of therelevant armrest 388. One application of the illustrated gaminginterface system 360GAME can be playing a pinball game. The interfaceelements 366 of the user interface system 360 can be provided asde-emphasized interface elements 366OBS when the user is distal from theuser interface system 360. When the user hand approaches, and becomesproximate to, the user interface system 360, the interface elements 366forming the gaming interface system 360GAME can become emphasizedinterface elements 366APP as shown in FIG. 8B in the manner discussedabove with reference to FIGS. 1-3. For example, the interface elements366 forming the gaming interface system 360GAME can become visible atthe relevant armrest 388 in any conventional manner, including bybecoming illuminated, by presenting control indicia, and/or by otherwisebecoming observably emphasized.

In one embodiment, the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 7A-B can beutilized in conjunction with a video interface system 362 (shown inFIGS. 6A-B) and/or an audio interface system 364 (shown in FIGS. 26A-B)in the manner discussed in more detail above with reference to FIGS.6A-B. When the user indicates a desire to interact with the selectedsystem resource 110 (shown in FIG. 1) to play a game by way of theinformation system 100, one or more selected interface elements 366 canbe activated as emphasized interface elements 366APP to form the gaminginterface system 360GAME for providing preselected control function(s)to the selected system resource 110 in the manner set forth in moredetail above with reference to the user interface system 360 of FIGS.1-3. The video interface system 362 and/or the audio interface system364 likewise can be activated to facilitate the interaction with theselected system resource 110 and to otherwise play the game. The userinterface system 360 advantageously enables the user to initiate andplay games via the system resource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/or theassociated resource function(s)) available by way of the informationsystem 100.

An alternative embodiment of the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 8A-Bis shown in FIGS. 9A-B. The user interface system 360 of FIGS. 9A-B canbe provided in the manner set forth above with reference to the userinterface system 360 of FIGS. 8A-B and can form a gaming interfacesystem 360GAME that is suitable for playing an arcade game. Turning toFIG. 9A, the user interface system 360 is illustrated as providing agaming interface system 360GAME that comprises a rectangular grid 366GRDof interface elements 366. The rectangular grid 366GRD of interfaceelements 366 is shown as being oriented at a preselected angle of zerodegrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the relevant armrest 388.In other words, the rectangular grid 366GRD can be parallel with alongitudinal axis of the selected armrest 388.

Although illustrated as being disposed at centerlines of the armrests388 of the user chair 382 in FIGS. 8A-B, the rectangular grid 366GRD canbe offset from the centerlines of the armrests 388 as shown in FIGS.9A-B. The rectangular grid 366GRD can be offset to the left side and/orthe right side of the centerlines of the armrests 388 by anypredetermined distance as desired. The predetermined length distance bywhich the rectangular grid 366GRD can be offset from the centerlines ofthe armrests 388 can be within any preselected range of lengths, such asany half-inch range between one-half inch and three inches (or longer).The offset can be provided in any suitable manner. Exemplary manners forproviding the offset can include disposing the rectangular grid 366GRDat an armrest location that is offset from the centerline of a relevantarmrest 388 and/or forming the rectangular grid 366GRD from interfaceelements 366 of the matrix 366MAT (shown in FIGS. 4A-F) that are offsetfrom the centerline of a relevant armrest 388.

The interface elements 366 of the user interface system 360 can beprovided as de-emphasized interface elements 366OBS when the user isdistal from the user interface system 360. When the user handapproaches, and becomes proximate to, the user interface system 360, theinterface elements 366 forming the gaming interface system 360GAME canbecome emphasized interface elements 366APP as shown in FIG. 9B in themanner discussed above with reference to FIGS. 8A-B. The video interfacesystem 362 and/or the audio interface system 364 likewise can beactivated to facilitate the interaction with the selected systemresource 110 and to otherwise play the game. The user interface system360 advantageously enables the user to initiate and play arcade gamesvia the system resource(s) 110 (and/or the associated resourcefunction(s)) available by way of the information system 100.

Another alternative embodiment of the user interface system 360 of FIGS.8A-B is shown in FIGS. 10A-B. Being provided in the manner set forthabove with reference to the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 8A-B, thegaming interface system 360GAME of FIGS. 10A-B comprises a double gamerD-pad for playing selected games. Exemplary games suitable for thedouble gamer D-pad include a trivia game, a sliders game, and/or a mocktrackball game. Turning to FIG. 10A, the interface elements 366 of theuser interface system 360 can be provided as de-emphasized interfaceelements 366OBS when the user is distal from the user interface system360. When the user hand approaches, and becomes proximate to, the userinterface system 360, the interface elements 366 forming the gaminginterface system 360GAME can become emphasized interface elements 366APPas shown in FIG. 10B in the manner discussed above with reference toFIGS. 8A-B. The video interface system 362 and/or the audio interfacesystem 364 likewise can be activated to facilitate the interaction withthe selected system resource 110 and to otherwise play the game. Theuser interface system 360 advantageously enables the user to initiateand play the selected games via the system resource(s) 110 (and/or theassociated resource function(s)) available by way of the informationsystem 100.

Still another alternative embodiment of the user interface system 360 ofFIGS. 8A-B is shown in FIGS. 11A-B. The user interface system 360 ofFIGS. 11A-B can be provided in the manner set forth above with referenceto the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 8A-B and can form a gaminginterface system 360GAME that is suitable for playing a selected triviagame. Turning to FIG. 11A, the interface elements 366 of the userinterface system 360 can be provided as de-emphasized interface elements366OBS when the user is distal from the user interface system 360. Whenthe user hand approaches, and becomes proximate to, the user interfacesystem 360, the interface elements 366 forming the gaming interfacesystem 360GAME can become emphasized interface elements 366APP as shownin FIG. 11B in the manner discussed above with reference to FIGS. 8A-B.

The interface elements 366 forming the gaming interface system 360GAMEcan become visible at the relevant armrest 388 in any conventionalmanner, including by becoming illuminated, by presenting controlindicia, and/or by otherwise becoming observably emphasized. Asillustrated in FIG. 11B, for example, interface elements 366 can becomeobservably emphasized by presenting associated function icons 367. Thevideo interface system 362 and/or the audio interface system 364likewise can be activated to facilitate the interaction with theselected system resource 110 and to otherwise play the game. The userinterface system 360 advantageously enables the user to initiate andplay the selected games via the system resource(s) 110 (and/or theassociated resource function(s)) available by way of the informationsystem 100. Although shown and described with reference to FIGS. 8A-B,9A-B, 10A-B, and 11A-B as comprising selected exemplary interfaces forpurposes of illustration only, the user interface system 360 can provideany suitable type of gaming interface system 360GAME via one or moreinterface elements 366 and/or can be disposed at any appropriatelocation of the user chair 382.

Another illustrative system application of the user interface system 360of FIGS. 5A-C is as a pointer control interface system, such as a mouseand/or trackball system. An exemplary embodiment of a pointer controlinterface system 360PNT is shown and described with reference to FIGS.12A-D. The pointer control interface system 360PNT can be formed via oneor more interface elements 366 that are disposed at a selected armrest388 or other suitable location of the user chair 382. Stated somewhatdifferently, a plurality of interface elements 366 can cooperate to forma composite pointer control interface element 366PNT for the userinterface system 360. The selected interface elements 366 can beprovided any manner, including in the manners set forth above withreference to the rectangular grids 366GRD (shown in FIGS. 5A-C), whereinthe interface elements 366 are disposed in a conventional and/orcustomized pointer control interface arrangement of any kind, andwithout limitation.

Turning to FIG. 12A, the pointer control interface system 360PNT isshown as comprising a plurality of directional interface elements 366W-Zfor providing directional control for the pointer control interfacesystem 360PNT. The directional interface elements 366W-Z preferably canprovide three hundred, sixty degree (360°) pointer control and/or can beoriented at any preselected angle relative to the longitudinal axis ofthe selected armrest 388. The preselected angle can be within anypredetermined range of angles, such as any five-degree range betweenzero degrees and forty-five degrees (or more). Each directionalinterface element 366W-Z can comprise one or more interface elements 366as desired.

The pointer control interface system 360PNT is shown in FIG. 12A asincluding at least one optional selection interface element 366V forproviding selection control for the pointer control interface system360PNT. In the illustrated embodiment, the selection interface element366V is disposed at a central portion 361 of the pointer controlinterface system 360PNT. Although shown as being centrally disposedrelative to the directional interface elements 366W-Z for purposes ofillustration, the selection interface element 366V can be provided atany suitable region of the user interface system 360 relative to thedirectional interface elements 366W-Z. In one embodiment, the pointercontrol interface system 360PNT, preferably a central selectioninterface element 366V, is illuminated at the chair location to assistthe user with locating the pointer control interface system 360PNT.

The directional interface elements 366W-Z and/or the selection interfaceelement 366V forming the pointer control interface system 360PNT can beprovided as de-emphasized interface elements 366OBS as shown in FIG. 12Awhen the user is distal from the user interface system 360. When theuser hand approaches, and becomes proximate to, the user interfacesystem 360, the interface elements 366 forming the directional interfaceelements 366W-Z and/or the selection interface element 366V can becomeemphasized interface elements 366APP as illustrated in FIG. 12B in themanner discussed above. The directional interface elements 366W-Z and/orthe selection interface element 366V forming the pointer controlinterface system 360PNT can become visible at the relevant armrest 388in any conventional manner, including by becoming illuminated, bypresenting control indicia, and/or by otherwise becoming observablyemphasized.

Exemplary observably emphasis for the pointer control interface system360PNT can include illuminating the directional interface elements366W-Z and/or the selection interface element 366V and/or presentingeach directional interface element 366W-Z and/or the selection interfaceelement 366V with a preselected color and/or control indicia. Thedirectional interface elements 366W-Z, for instance, can be providedwith directional function icons, such as arrows. Additionally, and/oralternatively, the preselected color(s) can be the same, and/ordifferent, among the directional interface element 366W-Z, and thepreselected color of the selection interface element 366V can be thesame as, and/or different from, the preselected color(s) of thedirectional interface elements 366W-Z.

Although shown and described as being formed via four directionalinterface elements 366W-Z and as having a round shape with reference toFIGS. 12A-B for purposes of illustration only, the pointer controlinterface system 360PNT can be formed with any suitable number and/orarrangement of directional interface elements 366W-Z and/or can beprovided with any appropriate shape and/or profile, without limitation.The pointer control interface system 360PNT, upon becoming apparent, canbe provided as a control ball (or dome), for example, with a domedprofile as shown in FIG. 12C. Alternatively, FIG. 12D shows the pointercontrol interface system 360PNT as being provided with a flat profile.The characteristics, such as the shape, the profile, and/or the numberand/or arrangement of the directional interface elements 366W-Z, of thepointer control interface system 360PNT can depend upon any selectedcriteria, including a predetermined application of the user interfacesystem 360 and/or the nature of the interaction with the systemresource(s) 110 (and/or the associated resource function(s)) availableby way of the information system 100. In other words, thecharacteristics of the pointer control interface system 360PNT can bebased at least in part upon a type of user interface that is suitablefor interacting with the relevant system resource 110 available by wayof the information system 100 (shown in FIG. 1).

The pointer control interface system 360PNT of FIGS. 12A-Dadvantageously can be utilized in conjunction with a video interfacesystem 362 (shown in FIGS. 6A-B) and/or an audio interface system 364(shown in FIGS. 26A-B). In the manner set forth above with reference toFIGS. 6A-B, the video interface system 362 and/or the audio interfacesystem 364 can present a listing (or catalogue) of the systemresource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/or the associated resourcefunction(s)) available by way of the information system 100, and thepointer control interface system 360PNT, upon becoming apparent, can bemanipulated to navigate among the available system resources 110 andselected one or more of the system resources 110.

In one embodiment of the user chair 382, the pointer control interfacesystem 360PNT (typically in conjunction with the video interface system362 and/or the audio interface system 364) can comprise the userinterface system 360 in its entirety. In other words, the pointercontrol interface system 360PNT can comprise the only user controlinterface at the user chair 382. The pointer control interface system360PNT thereby can enable the user to interact with the systemresource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/or the associated resourcefunction(s)) available by way of the information system 100 with simpleconventional gestures made with one hand (or finger) and/or two hands(or fingers). The hand gestures preferably are performed adjacent to,and/or within a predetermined range, the pointer control interfacesystem 360PNT of the user interface system 360.

Exemplary hand gestures can include tapping, double tapping, sliding,swiping, twisting, pinching, pulling, etc., without limitation. Eachhand gestures can be associated with predetermined control functions.The twisting hand gesture, for instance, can be associated with arotation function for rotating viewing content 210 (shown in FIGS.22A-B) presented via the video interface system 362 (shown in FIGS.6A-B); whereas, other hand gestures can be associated with otherpresentation control functions such as dragging, zooming in, zoomingout, and/or panning. Once a selected hand gesture is performed adjacentto the pointer control interface system 360PNT, the user interfacesystem 360 can execute the associated predetermined control function.The viewing content 210 as presented, for example, can be manipulated ina predetermined manner by performing one or more hand gestures adjacentto the pointer control interface system 360PNT of the user interfacesystem 360. In one embodiment, manipulation of one or more of theinterface elements 366 of the user interface system 360 can be achievedby performing a hand gesture.

Turning to FIGS. 13A-C, for example, the video interface system 362 canpresent a menu system 262 for selecting among the system resource(s) 110(shown in FIG. 1) (and/or the associated resource function(s)). The menusystem 262 can be provided in any conventional manner, including in themanner set forth above with reference to the menu system 262 (shown inFIG. 6B), and is illustrated as including a plurality of control indicia262Y representing the available system resources 110. The pointercontrol interface system 360PNT, upon becoming apparent, can bemanipulated to navigate the menu system 262 and, as desired, to selectat least one control indicia 262Y representing a selected systemresource 110. In other words, the video interface system 362 can presentthe control indicia 262Y of the menu system 262, and the pointer controlinterface system 360PNT, upon becoming apparent, can be utilized to viewand/or select one or more of the control indicia 262Y.

The pointer control interface system 360PNT can be manipulated tonavigate the menu system 262 in any conventional manner, including inthe manner set forth in more detail above with reference to the menusystem 262 (shown in FIG. 6B). For example, one or more of thedirectional interface elements 366W-Z of the pointer control interfacesystem 360PNT can be utilized to navigate among the control indicia262Y, and/or the selection interface element 366V of the pointer controlinterface system 360PNT can be actuated to select one or more of thecontrol indicia 262Y. The selected control indicia 262Y can be selectedin any suitable manner. Exemplary manners for selecting the controlindicia 262Y can include manipulating the pointer control interfacesystem 360PNT to adjust a position of a cursor 262X (shown in FIG. 6B)presented on the video interface system 362 relative to the controlindicia 262Y and/or scrolling through the control indicia 262Y presentedon the video interface system 362.

Additionally, and/or alternatively, the menu system 262 can be navigatedvia performance of one or more selected hand gestures adjacent to thepointer control interface system 360PNT in the manner set forth in moredetail above with reference to the pointer control interface system360PNT (shown in FIGS. 20A-B). One or more predetermined hand gestures,for example, can be associated with predetermined control functions forreturning to a main (or home) menu level of the menu system 262,returning to a previously-viewed menu level (or menu item).Additionally, and/or alternatively, a selected interface element 366 canbe associated with the control function for returning to a main (orhome) menu level of the menu system 262. The selected interface element366, upon becoming emphasized, thereby can be manipulated to return tothe main menu level of the menu system 262. In one embodiment, the handgestures can be performed adjacent to the pointer control interfacesystem 360PNT (or other emphasized interface elements 366APP) disposedat more than one location at the user chair 382.

Turning to FIG. 13A, for example, the user interface system 360 is shownas including at least one interface element 366DSP. The interfaceelement 366DSP can be provided in the manner discussed above withreference to the interface element 366DSP (shown in FIG. 6B) and, uponbecoming apparent, can be manipulated to activate and otherwise controlthe video interface system 362 and/or the audio interface system 364.Upon being activated, the video interface system 362 can present themenu system 262. If the menu system 262 comprises a hierarchical menusystem with a plurality of menu levels 365, the menu system 262 of FIG.13A can comprise a first selected menu level 365A, such as main (orhome) menu level, of the menu system 262. The user interface system 360advantageously can support directly returning to the main menu levelfrom any other menu level via a predetermined hand gesture performedadjacent to the user interface system 360. In one embodiment, theinterface element 366DSP likewise can be manipulated to deactivate thevideo interface system 362 and/or the audio interface system 364

FIG. 13A shows an illustrative embodiment of the first selected menulevel 365A of the menu system 262. The first selected menu level 365A isillustrated as comprising a horizontal menu system, wherein exemplarycontrol indicia 262Y are disposed in a horizontal arrangement and areassociated with selected system resource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1)(and/or the associated resource function(s)). The exemplary controlindicia 262Y include control indicia 262A representing electronic mail(or e-mail) functionality, control indicia 262B representingentertainment (or viewing) content functionality, control indicia 262Crepresenting shopping functionality, control indicia 262D representingfood (and/beverage) ordering functionality, and/or control indicia 262Erepresenting user games functionality, without limitation. The controlindicia 262A-E are shown as being disposed in respective horizontalpositions 362H associated with the video interface system 362. Althoughshown and described as comprising a horizontal menu system withexemplary control indicia 262A-E for purposes of illustration only, thefirst selected menu level 365A can include any predetermined numberand/or arrangement of control indicia 262Y that can be associated withany selected system resources 110.

The pointer control interface system 360PNT, upon becoming apparent, canbe manipulated to navigate among the control indicia 262A-E (and/orrepresented system resources 110) of the first selected menu level 365Aof the menu system 262. Navigation of the first selected menu level 365Acan be performed via any suitable manipulation of the pointer controlinterface system 360PNT. One or more directional interface elements366W-Z of the pointer control interface system 360PNT can bemanipulated, for example, to horizontally scroll (or rotate) the controlindicia 262A-E by one or more horizontal positions 362H of the videointerface system 362. The control indicia 262A-E can scroll by one ormore horizontal positions 362H in a leftward direction when at least oneof the directional interface elements 366W, 366Y is actuated and/or byone or more horizontal positions 362H in a rightward direction when atleast one of the directional interface elements 366X, 366Z is actuated.

If the presented control indicia 262A-E comprise a complete group of thecontrol indicia 262Y for the first selected menu level 365A of the menusystem 262, the control indicia 262Y presented at a leftmost horizontalposition 362HL of the video interface system 362 can be repositioned toa rightmost horizontal position 362HR of the video interface system 362during leftward scrolling of the first selected menu level 365A. Thecontrol indicia 262Y presented at the rightmost horizontal position362HR likewise can be repositioned to the leftmost horizontal position362HL during rightward scrolling.

Alternatively, the first selected menu level 365A can include othercontrol indicia 262Y that is not presented on the video interface system362. In other words, the video interface system 362 may notsimultaneously present all of the control indicia 262Y of the firstselected menu level 365A, and/or the presented control indicia 262A-Ecomprise a selected subgroup of the control indicia 262Y. Anyunpresented control indicia 262Y can be presented via the videointerface system 362 by replacing one or more of the presented controlindicia 262A-E with the unpresented control indicia 262Y. If the pointercontrol interface system 360PNT, for example, is manipulated to scrollthe presented control indicia 262A-E by one position in the leftwarddirection, the control indicia 262A can be scrolled to an unpresentedposition; whereas, unpresented control indicia 262Y can be scrolled tothe rightmost horizontal position 362HR of the video interface system362.

In one embodiment, a navigation (or scrolling) speed can be increased bymoving the user hand from a first position to a second position of thepointer control interface system 360PNT, wherein the second position isfurther from the central portion 361 (shown in FIGS. 12A-B) of thepointer control interface system 360PNT than is the first position. Thenavigation speed likewise can be decreased by moving the user hand fromthe second position of the pointer control interface system 360PNT tothe first position. In other words, the navigation speed can becontrolled based at least in part on a distance between the user handand the central portion 361 of the pointer control interface system360PNT. The control indicia 262Y (and/or the represented systemresources 110) at an emphasized horizontal position 362HE of the videointerface system 362 can be selected by manipulation of the selectioninterface element 366V (shown in FIGS. 12A-B) of the pointer controlinterface system 360PNT.

An alternative embodiment of the menu system 262 is illustrated in FIG.13B. The menu system 262 of FIG. 13B can comprise a menu system that isat least partially associated with, and/or separate from, the menusystem 262 of FIG. 13A. If provided as a part of the same hierarchicalmenu system, the menu system 262 of FIG. 13B can form a second selectedmenu level 365B of the menu system 262 of FIG. 13A. Being provided inthe manner set forth above with reference to the first selected menulevel 365A of the menu system 262 (shown in FIG. 13A), the secondselected menu level 365B is shown as comprising a horizontal menu systemwith exemplary control indicia 262Y being disposed in a horizontalarrangement and being associated with selected system resource(s) 110(shown in FIG. 1) (and/or the associated resource function(s)).

Turning to FIG. 13B, the second selected menu level 365B can beassociated with selected entertainment content, such as movies 262′,available via the information system 100. Accordingly, the controlindicia 262Y for the second selected menu level 365B can representdifferent types (or genres) of movies. The exemplary control indicia262Y include control indicia 262A representing dramatic movie contentfunctionality, control indicia 262B representing romantic movie contentfunctionality, control indicia 262C representing comedic movie contentfunctionality, control indicia 262D representing teenage movie contentfunctionality, and/or control indicia 262E representing action moviecontent functionality, without limitation. The control indicia 262A-Eare shown as being disposed in respective horizontal positions 362Hassociated with the video interface system 362.

The pointer control interface system 360PNT, upon becoming apparent, canbe manipulated to navigate among the various menu levels 365 of the menusystem 262. For example, if the pointer control interface system 360PNTis manipulated to navigate the first selected menu level 365A (shown inFIG. 13A) and/or to select the control indicia 262B (shown in FIG. 13A)that represents entertainment (or viewing) content functionality, theinformation system 100 can respond by presenting the second selectedmenu level 365B, which is associated with movie entertainment content,via the video interface system 362. The pointer control interface system360PNT likewise can be manipulated to navigate among, and/or to select,the control indicia 262A-E (and/or represented system resources 110) ofthe second selected menu level 365B in the manner set forth above withreference to navigation of the first selected menu level 365A (shown inFIG. 13A). In one embodiment, the menu system 262 can include one ormore additional menu levels 365 associated with the control indicia262A-E of the second selected menu level 365B. Each additional menulevel 365 can be provided in the manner discussed above and/or caninclude any predetermined number and/or arrangement of control indicia262Y that can be associated with any selected system resources 110.

Additionally, and/or alternatively, the menu system 262 of FIG. 13C cancomprise a menu system that is at least partially associated with,and/or separate from, the menu systems 262 of FIGS. 13A-B. If providedas a part of the same hierarchical menu system, the menu system 262 ofFIG. 13C can form a third selected menu level 365C of the menu system262 of FIGS. 13A-B. The third selected menu level 365C is shown ascomprising a vertical menu system with exemplary control indicia 262Ybeing disposed in a vertical arrangement and being associated withselected system resource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/or the associatedresource function(s)). FIG. 13C shows that the third selected menu level365C can be associated with selected entertainment content, such asmusic 262″, available via the information system 100. Accordingly, thecontrol indicia 262Y for the third selected menu level 365C canrepresent different types (or genres) of music.

The different music genres can be compiled in any conventional manner,such as by artist, album, song titles, and/or other music selections. Asshown in FIG. 13C, the control indicia 262Y for the third selected menulevel 365C can represent music selections from an album “Brothers” bythe artist “The Black Keys.” The exemplary control indicia 262Y includecontrol indicia 262A representing a song entitled “These Days”, controlindicia 262B representing a song entitled “Everlasting Light”, controlindicia 262C representing a song entitled “Next Girl”, control indicia262D representing a song entitled “Tighten Up”, and/or control indicia262E representing a song entitled “Howlin' For You”, without limitation.The third selected menu level 365C optionally can present biographicalinformation 262X″, such as an album cover and/or cover notes, about thesongs (and/or albums). The control indicia 262A-E are shown as beingdisposed in respective vertical positions 362L associated with the videointerface system 362. Although shown and described as comprising avertical menu system with exemplary control indicia 262A-E for purposesof illustration only, the third selected menu level 365C can include anypredetermined number and/or arrangement of control indicia 262Y that canbe associated with any selected system resources 110.

The pointer control interface system 360PNT, upon becoming apparent, canbe manipulated to navigate among the control indicia 262A-E (and/orrepresented system resources 110) of the third selected menu level 365Cof the menu system 262. Navigation of the third selected menu level 365Ccan be performed via any suitable manipulation of the pointer controlinterface system 360PNT in a manner analogous to the manner discussed inmore detail above with reference to the horizontal menu system (shown inFIG. 13A). One or more directional interface elements 366W-Z of thepointer control interface system 360PNT can be manipulated, for example,to vertically scroll the control indicia 262A-E by one or more verticalpositions 362V of the video interface system 362. The control indicia262A-E can scroll by one or more vertical positions 362V in a upwarddirection when at least one of the directional interface elements 366W,366X is actuated and/or by one or more vertical positions 362V in adownward direction when at least one of the directional interfaceelements 366Y, 366Z is actuated. The control indicia 262Y (and/or therepresented system resources 110) at an emphasized vertical position362VE of the video interface system 362 can be selected by manipulationof the selection interface element 366V (shown in FIGS. 12A-B) of thepointer control interface system 360PNT.

If the presented control indicia 262A-E comprise a complete group of thecontrol indicia 262Y for the third selected menu level 365C of the menusystem 262, the control indicia 262Y presented at a uppermost verticalposition 362VU of the video interface system 362 can be repositioned toa lowermost vertical position 362VL of the video interface system 362during upward scrolling of the third selected menu level 365C. Thecontrol indicia 262Y presented at the lowermost vertical position 362VLlikewise can be repositioned to the uppermost vertical position 362VUduring downward scrolling.

Alternatively, the third selected menu level 365C can include othercontrol indicia 262Y that is not presented on the video interface system362 in the manner discussed in more detail above with reference to thehorizontal menu system (shown in FIG. 13A). In other words, the videointerface system 362 may not simultaneously present all of the controlindicia 262Y of the third selected menu level 365C, and/or the presentedcontrol indicia 262A-E comprise a selected subgroup of the controlindicia 262Y. Any unpresented control indicia 262Y can be presented viathe video interface system 362 by replacing one or more of the presentedcontrol indicia 262A-E with the unpresented control indicia 262Y. If thepointer control interface system 360PNT, for example, is manipulated toscroll the presented control indicia 262A-E by one position in theupward direction, the control indicia 262A can be scrolled to anunpresented position; whereas, unpresented control indicia 262Y can bescrolled to the lowermost vertical position 362VL of the video interfacesystem 362.

As set forth in more detail above, when a user hand approaches, andbecomes proximate to, the user interface system 360, selected interfaceelements 366 of the user interface system 360 can become apparent (orotherwise emphasized) in any conventional manner. With reference to theuser interface system 360 shown in FIGS. 2A-B, for example, the selectedinterface elements 366A, 366D, upon becoming apparent, can extend fromthe user interface system 360 and engage the armrest covering 388B. FIG.14A illustrates another alternative embodiment of the user interfacesystem 360 of FIGS. 4A-F, wherein the interface elements 366 forming thematrix arrangement 366MAT comprise electro-mechanical solenoids 400. Theelectro-mechanical solenoids 400 can enable the interface elements 366to be obscured from view by retracting within the user interface system360 when a user is distal from the user interface system 360 and, uponbecoming apparent, to become emphasized by extending from the userinterface system 360. The user interface system 360 thereby can supporta wide variety of interactive control scenarios via a selected armrest388 of a user chair 382.

When disposed at the selected armrest 388 of the user chair 382 in themanner set forth in more detail above with reference to the userinterface system 360 (shown in FIGS. 2A-B), the interface elements 366can be positioned adjacent to an armrest covering 388B (shown in FIGS.2A-B) and covered by the armrest covering 388B. The interface elements366 thereby can be selectively presented by the user chair 382 via thearmrest covering 388B. When powered off (or idle), the solenoids 400 canretract within the user interface system 360 such that the interfaceelements 366 can be obscured from view by the armrest covering 388B.With the interface elements 366 obscured, the user chair 382 looksordinary.

One or more of the interface elements 366 can become apparent when theuser hand approaches, and becomes proximate to, the user interfacesystem 360. The solenoids 400 of the apparent interface elements 366wake up and wait in a ready state for user commands. Once a command isgiven (i.e., a mode of operation is selected), each relevant solenoid400 can extend from the user interface system 360, forming a raisedprojection (or bump) 388C (shown in FIG. 2B) at an associated region ofthe armrest covering 388B in the manner discussed above. The raisedprojections 388C create a tactile feel for control of the selectedoperation mode.

The electro-mechanical solenoids 400 preferably are designed such thatthey can rise and/or lower based on automatic and/or manual commands.FIG. 14A also shows that the solenoids 400 can be outfitted with a cap410. The cap 410 can incorporate a capacitive touch sensor and/or alight emitting diode (LED) illuminator. In one embodiment, approximatelytwenty-five solenoids 400 can be associated with each armrest 388. Asdesired, the cap 410 can elevate and/or illuminate. A matrix (or array)of light emitting diodes (LEDs) can be disposed below the caps 410,and/or a set of four pico solenoids (not shown) can be located under thecap 410 to raise and lower as desired.

In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the solenoids 400 can be usedin a plurality of different ways. One operational mode, for example, caninclude using the solenoids 400 as capacitive touch sensors fordetecting a location of the user hand. This operational mode issometimes called a “hover” mode and can be used to provide visualfeedback through the interaction design. The hover mode likewise can beutilized for providing mouse-like functionality. Another illustrativeoperational mode of operation of the solenoids 400 can compriseconfiguring the solenoids as selector switches. Each solenoid 400thereby can be depressed and released to detect specific desiredselections. In other words, the solenoid 400 can be “clickable.”

FIG. 14B shows a detail drawing of the electro-mechanical solenoid 400.In one preferred embodiment, each solenoid 400 can include at least oneprocessing system (not shown), such as a microprocessor (IP), centralprocessing unit (CPU), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC),field programmable gate array (FPGA), and/or digital signal processor(DSP) of any kind. As desired, the processing system can be shared amongtwo or more solenoids 400. The operation of the solenoids 400 therebycan be provided in a fully programmable and/or reconfigurable manner.

The user interface system 360 of FIGS. 14A-B can be provided (ormanufactured) in any conventional manner. One exemplary manner formanufacturing the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 14A-B isillustrated with reference to FIGS. 15A-K. Turning to FIG. 15A, a capassembly 412 for the cap 410 is shown as including an illuminatedcapacitive touch sensor 414. The capacitive touch sensor 414 can beprovided in any suitable manner and, as shown in FIG. 15A, can bedisposed on a printed circuit board (or PCB) 416. The printed circuitboard 416 can be coupled with a second printed circuit board (or PCB)418 as illustrated in FIG. 15B. The printed circuit boards 416, 418 canbe coupled in any conventional manner, such as by soldering, such thatthe coupled printed circuit boards 416, 418 can support functionalityfor the illuminated capacitive touch sensor 414. As illustrated in FIG.15B, the second printed circuit board 418 is disposed in a perpendicularorientation relative to the printed circuit board 416 such that theprinted circuit boards 416, 418 can form a T-shaped assembly.

FIG. 15C shows that the capacitive touch sensor 414 can be disposedwithin a cap cover 420. The cap cover 420 can be formed from anysuitable translucent material and defines an internal channel 22 forreceiving the capacitive touch sensor 414. The translucent materialenables light emitted from the capacitive touch sensor 414, whenilluminated, to pass through the cap cover 420. The cap cover 420optionally can be provided with a predetermined color selected from aplurality of colors and/or can provide control indicia, such as afunction icon 367 (shown in FIG. 6B), that represents a preselectedcontrol function associated with the selected interface element 366 whenthe selected interface element 366 is activated. The light emitted fromthe capacitive touch sensor 414 thereby can be presented with thepredetermined color. In one embodiment, a conductive ring 422 can bedisposed about a periphery of the cap cover 420 as shown in FIG. 15D.The conductive ring 422 can be formed from any suitable conductivematerial, such as copper or any other metal. The conductive ring 422preferably is in electrical communication with at least one of theprinted circuit boards 416, 418.

A slider module 430 is shown in FIG. 15E. The slider module 430 of FIG.15E includes opposite end regions 432, 434 and defines a central channel436. The opposite end regions 432, 434 can communicate via the centralchannel 436. The central channel 436 adjacent to the end region 432 canbe adapted to receive the cap assembly 412 such that the printed circuitboards 416, 418 are disposed within the central channel 436 and the capcover 420 extends from the end region 432 of the slider module 430 asillustrated in FIG. 15E. As shown in FIG. 15F, the central channel 436adjacent to the end region 434 can be adapted to receive an actuatorassembly 440. When the actuator assembly 440 is properly disposed withinthe central channel 436, a control interface 442 of the actuatorassembly 440 can extend from the end region 434 of the slider module430. FIG. 15G shows that a module cover plate 438 optionally can becoupled with the slider module 430 to enclose the cap assembly 412 andthe actuator assembly 440 within the slider module 430, forming aninterface element 366.

Turning to FIG. 15H, a rack assembly 450 for the user interface system360 is shown as having a predetermined region 454 that defines aplurality of openings 452 for receiving a plurality of interfaceelements 366 (shown in FIG. 15G). The plurality of openings 452preferably are provided in an array (or matrix) arrangement, such as thearray (or matrix) arrangement 366MAT (shown in FIGS. 4A-F). The size,the number of openings 452, the spacing between adjacent openings 452,the orientation of the openings 452 relative to a predetermined axis ofthe rack assembly 450, and/or other characteristics of the predeterminedregion 454 can be provided in the manner discussed above with referenceto the array arrangement 366MAT. As shown in FIG. 15I, an interfaceelement 366 of FIG. 15G can be disposed within one or more of theopenings 452 defined by the rack assembly 450, forming the arrayarrangement 366MAT of interface elements 366 set forth in more detailabove with reference to FIGS. 4A-E.

The rack assembly 450 preferably is formed from a metal or otherconductive material to limit any possible electrical interference amongthe installed interface elements 366. The capacitive touch sensors 414of the installed interface elements 366 are shown as being positionedadjacent to (and/or flushly aligned with) an interface surface 456 ofthe rack assembly 450. To help protect the capacitive touch sensors 414,an optional protective cover (and/or coating) 460 can be applied to aninterface surface 456 of the rack assembly 450 as illustrated in FIG.15J. The protective cover 460 preferably is formed from a material, suchas plastic, that does not adversely affect the functionality of thecapacitive touch sensors 414.

The rack assembly 450 with the installed interface elements 366 can bedisposed on a base structure 460 as shown in FIG. 15K. In other words,the rack assembly 450 can be coupled with the base structure 460. Asillustrated in FIG. 15K, the control interface 442 of the actuatorassembly 440 for each installed interface element 366 communicates withthe base structure 460. The actuator assemblies 440 of selectedinstalled interface elements 366, upon the user interface system 360becoming apparent, can be activated to extend by a predetermineddistance. In one embodiment, one or more of the activated actuatorassemblies 440 can extend to a full length of the activated actuatorassemblies 440. Other activated actuator assemblies 440 can extend to apredetermined percentage of the full length. The capacitive touchsensors 414 of the apparent interface elements 366 thereby can extendfrom the rack assembly 450 by the predetermined distance, such as thepredetermined distance set forth above with reference to FIGS. 2A-B.

Alternatively, and/or additionally, one or more of the interfaceelements 366 of the user interface system 360 can be provided as virtualcontrol elements. The user interface system 360 can be disposed at theuser chair 382 in any of the manner(s) described above such that, when auser hand approaches, and becomes proximate to, the user interfacesystem 360, selected interface elements 366 of the user interface system360 can become apparent (or otherwise emphasized). In one embodiment,the interface elements 366 can be projected onto one or more selectedlocations of the user chair 382.

The operating environment of the information system 100, for example,can include a projection system 500, such as a pico projection system,for projecting the interface elements 366 onto the selected locations ofthe user chair 382 as illustrated in FIG. 16A. The interface elements366 thereby can be presented as virtual control elements at the selectedlocations of the user chair 382. Exemplary selected locations upon whichthe virtual control elements can be projected include, but are notlimited to, a selected armrest 388, both armrests 388, and/or a traytable provided at the chair back 386 (shown in FIG. 1) and/or theselected armrest 388. As desired, the projection system 500 can includea projector for projecting selected interface elements 366 onto multiplelocations of the user chair 382 and/or a plurality of projectors forprojecting the selected interface elements 366 onto respective locationsof the user chair 382. A selected location of the user chair 382 may beassociated with one or more of the projectors.

The projection system 500 can be disposed at the user chair 382 and/orat a wall, a floor, a ceiling, an adjacent user chair, and/or any othersuitable location within the operating environment such that theprojection system 500 can project the interface elements 366 onto theselected locations of the user chair 382. Exemplary projection systemsand mounting locations for the projection systems are set forth in theabove-referenced co-pending U.S. patent application, entitled “SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR INTERACTING WITH INFORMATION SYSTEMS,” Ser. No.12/897,589, filed on Oct. 4, 2010, which is assigned to the assignee ofthe present application and the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

Turning to FIG. 16A, for example, the projection system 500 isillustrated as projecting a plurality of interface elements 366 onto aselected armrest 388 of the user chair 382. The selected armrest 388 caninclude an armrest covering 388B, and the projection system 500 canproject the interface elements 366 onto the armrest covering 388B of theselected armrest 388. In the manner discussed above with reference toFIGS. 2A-B, the armrest covering 388B can comprise a region (and/orsurface) of the armrest 388 upon which the user can rest an arm whenseated in the user chair 382. The armrest covering 388B preferably isprovided in a manner that enables (and/or facilitates) presentation ofthe interface elements 366 as virtual control elements. The materialforming the armrest covering 388B can be the same as, or different from,material covering other chair components of the user chair 382.

The projection system 500 optionally can project viewing content 210(shown in FIGS. 22A-B) onto the selected armrest 388 and/or any otherlocation at (and/or external to) the user chair 382. Thereby, theprojected viewing content 210 can be presented in the manner set forthabove with reference to the video interface system 362 (shown in FIG.6A), the touch display system 200′ (shown in FIGS. 22A-B), and/or thepersonal media device 200 (shown in FIG. 26B). The projection system500, for example, can project the viewing content 210 onto a book orother item provided by the user. If used in conjunction with one or moreof the video interface system 362, the touch display system 200′, and/orthe personal media device 200, the projection of the viewing content 210advantageously can enable the user to multitask in the manner set forthherein with reference to FIG. 22B.

In one embodiment, the armrest 388 of the user chair 382 can include aproximity sensor (not shown) and/or a touch film interface system (orlayer) 510, such as a capacitive sensor system, in the manner set forthabove with reference to FIG. 3. The touch film interface system 510, forexample, can form the armrest covering 388B. Alternatively, the armrestcovering 388B can cover the touch film interface system 510 such thatthe touch film interface system 510 is disposed within the armrest 388and thereby obscured by the armrest covering 388B. The touch filminterface system 510 can be formed, bonded, adhered, or otherwiseaffixed at the selected armrest 388. Although the touch film interfacesystem 510 can be provided with any predetermined dimensions, the touchfilm interface system 510 preferably conforms with a geometry of theselected armrest 388 and/or is provided with predetermined dimensionssuitable for providing the interface elements 366 of the user interfacesystem 360.

The projection system 500, in operation, can be adapted to project theinterface elements 366 of the user interface system 360 onto the armrestcovering 388B (and/or the touch film interface system 510) of theselected armrest 388 when a user hand approaches, and becomes proximateto, the armrest covering 388B. In other words, when the user is distalfrom the user interface system 360, the projection system 500 does notproject the interface elements 366 onto the armrest covering 388B. Theuser interface system 360 thereby can be obscured from view (orotherwise de-emphasized), and/or the user chair 382 can appear to be anordinary chair when the user interface system 360 is not in use in themanner discussed above. When the user wishes to utilize the userinterface system 360, the projection system 500 can project one or moreinterface elements 366 of the user interface system 360 onto the armrestcovering 388B. The user interface system 360 thereby can become apparent(or otherwise emphasized) at the user chair 382.

The projected interface elements 366 can be mapped to correspondingregions of the armrest covering 388B. In other words, each projectedinterface element 366 can be associated with a selected region of thearmrest covering 388B. Thereby, when a user hand is adjacent to theselected region of the armrest covering 388B, the touch film interfacesystem 510 senses the user hand such that the user can manipulate theassociated projected interface element 366 to interact with the systemresource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/or the associated resourcefunction(s)) available by way of the information system 100. In themanner set forth above, the projected interface elements 366 can bepresented in any conventional manner, such as via one or moreconventional pushbuttons. The touch film interface system 510advantageously can detect an approach of the user hand prior to actualcontact with the projected interface elements 366. Use of the touch filminterface system 510 can enable the user interface system 360 to beactuated prior to actual contact with projected interface elements 366.

In the manner discussed above with reference to the user interfacesystem 360 (shown in FIGS. 2A-B), the user interface system 360 can beprojected with any characteristics, such as size (and/or dimension)and/or shape (and/or geometry). The interface elements 366 likewise canbe projected with any suitable characteristics. Exemplarycharacteristics of the interface elements 366 include a quantity, size,shape, spacing, and/or arrangement of the interface elements 366. Thecharacteristics of the user interface system 360 and/or the interfaceelements 366 preferably are based upon at least the location of the userchair 382 at which the user interface system 360 is projected, a sizeand/or shape of the location, and/or the type(s) of control interfacessuitable for interacting with the system resource(s) 110 (and/or theassociated resource function(s)) available by way of the informationsystem 100. The projector system 500 preferably can project one or moreof the user interface systems 360 shown and described with reference toFIGS. 2-13 onto the user chair 382. In one embodiment, the projecteduser interface system 360 can comprise a conventional keyboard system,such as a QWERTY keyboard, telephone keyboard, a calculator keyboard,etc., without limitation. The size (and/or dimension) of the keyboardsystem can be based at least in part upon the size (and/or dimension) ofthe chair location upon which the keyboard system is projected.

Additionally, and/or alternatively, the operating environment of theinformation system 100 can include a projection system 500 and a camerasystem 520 as shown in FIG. 16B. Turning to FIG. 16B, the projectionsystem 500 can be provided in the manner set forth above with referenceto the projection system 500 (shown in FIG. 16A) and can project theuser interface system 360 onto one or more locations, such as a selectedarmrest 388, of the user chair 382. The camera system 520 can detect thepresence of the user and/or user interaction with the user interfacesystem 360. Thereby, the user chair 382 advantageously can require nospecial accommodation in order to provide the user interface system 360.The user chair 382 preferably provides the armrest covering 388B in amanner that enables (and/or facilitates) presentation of the interfaceelements 366 as virtual control elements as set forth above. Theprojection system 500 optionally can project the user interface system360 onto any surface, including surfaces external to the user chair 382.The user interface system 360, for example, can be projected onto a bookor other item provided by the user.

In the manner discussed above with reference to the projection system500 (shown in FIG. 16A), the projection system 500 can be adapted toproject the interface elements 366 of the user interface system 360 ontothe armrest covering 388B of the selected armrest 388 when a user handapproaches, and becomes proximate to, the armrest covering 388B. Inother words, when the user is distal from the user interface system 360,the projection system 500 does not project the interface elements 366onto the armrest covering 388B. The user interface system 360 can beobscured from view (or otherwise de-emphasized), and/or the user chair382 can appear to be an ordinary chair when the user interface system360 is not in use. When the user wishes to utilize the user interfacesystem 360, the projection system 500 can project one or more interfaceelements 366 of the user interface system 360 onto the armrest covering388B. The user interface system 360 thereby can become apparent (orotherwise emphasized) at the user chair 382.

The camera system 520 can include a camera for detecting the presence ofthe user and/or user interaction with selected interface elements 366 atmultiple locations of the user chair 382 and/or a plurality of camerasfor detecting the user interaction with selected interface elements 366at respective locations of the user chair 382. A selected location ofthe user chair 382 may be associated with one or more of the cameras.The camera system 520 can be mounted in the same manner as set forthabove for mounting the projection system 500. The camera system 520, forexample, can be disposed at the user chair 382 and/or at a wall, afloor, a ceiling, an adjacent user chair, and/or any other suitablelocation within the operating environment such that the camera system520 can detect the presence of the user and/or user interaction with theinterface elements 366 at the selected locations of the user chair 382.

The projected interface elements 366 can be mapped to correspondingregions of the armrest covering 388B. In other words, each projectedinterface element 366 can be associated with a selected region of thearmrest covering 388B. Thereby, when a user hand is adjacent to theselected region of the armrest covering 388B, the camera system 520detects the user hand such that the user can manipulate the associatedprojected interface element 366 to interact with the system resource(s)110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/or the associated resource function(s))available by way of the information system 100. In the manner set forthabove, the projected interface elements 366 can be presented in anyconventional manner, such as via one or more conventional pushbuttons.The camera system 520 optionally can detect an approach of the user handprior to actual contact with the projected interface elements 366.Stated somewhat differently, the camera system 520 can enable the userinterface system 360 to be actuated prior to actual contact withprojected interface elements 366.

Advantageously, the user interface system 360 can be provided at theuser chair 382 in a dynamic manner. In other words, the selection ofinterface elements 366 that can become apparent (or otherwiseemphasized) when the user approaches, and becomes proximate to, the userinterface system 360 can change in response to selected stimuli. Turningto FIG. 17A, for example, the user interface system 360 of FIGS. 4A-B isshown as comprising a matrix 366MAT of interface elements 366. In themanner set forth above with reference to the matrix 366MAT (shown inFIGS. 4A-F and FIG. 5A), the matrix 366MAT can define a rectangular grid366GRD of selected interface elements 366 that can become apparent asemphasized interface elements 366APP when the hand of the userapproaches, and becomes proximate to, the user interface system 360. Afirst set of the emphasized interface elements 366APP is illustrated asbeing provided as boundary interface elements 366BND for defining aboundary that at least partially surrounds a second set of theemphasized interface elements 366APP.

If one or more of the emphasized interface elements 366APP associatedwith the rectangular grid 366GRD becomes unavailable, the user interfacesystem 360 can dynamically adjust a position of the rectangular grid366GRD within the matrix 366MAT in an effort to avoid the unavailableemphasized interface elements 366APP. An unavailable emphasizedinterface element 366APP can become unavailable for any number ofreasons. The unavailable emphasized interface element 366APP, forexample, can become unavailable by entering a failure mode.

As illustrated in FIG. 17B, the unavailable emphasized interfaceelements 366APP are shown as being obstructed by a foreign object 600,such as a beverage container, being placed on the selected armrest 388.The user interface system 360 is shown as adjusting the position of therectangular grid 366GRD to other interface elements 366 within thematrix 366MAT in an effort to avoid use of the unavailable interfaceelements 366 obstructed by the foreign object 600. Although shown ascomprising a one-dimensional translation for purposes of illustrationonly, the user interface system 360 can dynamically adjust the positionof the rectangular grid 366GRD within the matrix 366MAT in anyconventional manner, including a translation in more than one dimensionand/or a rotation. In one embodiment, the rectangular grid 366GRD can beprovided at a user interface system 360 disposed at an alternativelocation of the user chair 382. Additionally, and/or alternatively, therectangular grid 366GRD can be returned to its original position on thematrix 366MAT if the unavailable emphasized interface element 366APPagain become available.

In one embodiment, the position of the rectangular grid 366GRD can beestablished by the user. The user, for example, can establish theposition of the rectangular grid 366GRD by manipulating a selectedinterface element 366 within the matrix 366MAT. The user interfacesystem can identify the selected interface element 366 as being afiducial as a basis for establishing the position of the rectangulargrid 366GRD. The selected interface element 366, for example, canprovide a center point for the rectangular grid 366GRD such that therectangular grid 366GRD is formed via one or more interface elements 366disposed around the selected interface element 366.

As set forth above, the user interface system 360 disclosed herein canbe utilized in a wide range of system applications. FIGS. 18A-Billustrate another alternative embodiment of the user chair of FIG. 1,wherein a user interface system 360 can provide a chair controlinterface for controlling one or more chair features of the user chair382 can be disposed at any suitable location of the user chair 382.Exemplary chair features that can be controlled via the user interfacesystem can include a footrest adjustment, lumbar support adjustment,(manual and/or powered) chair position adjustment, in-chair massagecontrol, in-chair temperature control, and/or other conventional chairfeatures without limitation. Typical chair position adjustments caninclude an adjustable headrest, armrest, footrest, lumbar support, chairback angle, forward/backward/lateral chair position, upward/downwardchair elevation, and/or chair swivel, without limitation.

Turning to FIG. 18A, for example, the user interface system 360 is shownas being provided at a selected armrest 388. The user interface system360 is shown as including four interface elements 366R-U that areassociated with respective exemplary chair features of the user chair382. The interface element 366R can be associated with a selected chaircommunication function, such as a selected passenger support service(PSS) function, such as an attendant call function, if the user chair382 is disposed aboard a passenger vehicle 390 (shown in FIGS. 24A-B).The interface element 366S is shown as being associated with a chairlight control function, such as chair light on/off control; whereas, theinterface element 366T can be associated with a chair audio volumecontrol function. The interface element 366U can be associated with achair position adjustment control function such as for controlling achair back angle (and/or recline) function for the user chair 382.

The interface elements 366R-U of the user interface system 360 can beprovided as de-emphasized interface elements 366OBS when the user isdistal from the user interface system 360. When the user handapproaches, and becomes proximate to, the user interface system 360, theinterface elements 366R-U can become emphasized interface elements366APP as shown in FIG. 18B in the manner discussed above. The interfaceelements 366R-U, upon becoming apparent, can be manipulated forcontrolling the respective chair feature functions and can becomeobservably emphasized at the selected armrest 388 in the mannerdiscussed above with reference to FIGS. 2A-B.

As illustrated in FIG. 18B, for example, the interface elements 366R-Ucan become observably emphasized by presenting associated function icons367R-U. The user interface system 360 advantageously enables the user tocontrol selected chair feature functions. Although shown and describedas comprising a particular arrangement of four interface elements 366R-Uthat control selected chair feature functions and that are disposed atthe selected armrest 388 for purposes of illustration only, the userinterface system 360 can comprise any preselected number and/orarrangement of interface elements 366 for controlling any conventionalchair function(s) and can be disposed at any suitable location of theuser chair 382 as desired.

An alternative user interface system 360 for controlling the selectedchair functions is shown in FIGS. 19A-B. Turning to FIG. 19A, the userinterface system 360 is shown as being provided at the selected armrest388 and as including seven interface elements 366R, 366S1/2, 366T1/2,366U1/2 that are associated with respective exemplary chair features ofthe user chair 382. In the manner discussed above with reference toFIGS. 18A-B, the interface element 366R can be associated with aselected chair communication function. The other exemplary chairfeatures advantageously can be controlled by respective pairs ofinterface elements 366S1/2, 366T1/2, and 366U1/2. Stated somewhatdifferently, the interface elements interface elements 366R, 366S1/2,366T1/2, 366U1/2 can respectively provide additional controlfunctionality over single interface elements 366S, 366T, 366U (shown inFIGS. 18A-B).

Illustrated as being associated with a chair light control function, theinterface elements 366S1/2, for example, can provide incremental up/downcontrol over chair light brightness (or intensity) in contrast to achair light on/off control that can be provided by the interface element366S. Alternatively, the interface element 366S1 can provide chair lighton/off control; whereas, the interface element 366S2 can provideincremental up/down control over light brightness. The interfaceelements 366T1, 366T2 are shown as being associated with a chair audiovolume control function. The interface element 366T might provide chairaudio volume on/off control; whereas, the interface elements 366S1/2 canprovide incremental up/down control over chair audio volume. Theinterface elements 366U1, 366U2 are shown as being associated with achair position adjustment control function. If associated with a chairback angle (and/or recline) function for the user chair 382, forexample, the interface elements 366U1/2 can provide incremental up/downcontrol over chair back angle in contrast to a chair back up/downcontrol that can be provided by the interface element 366U.

The interface elements 366R, 366S1/2, 366T1/2, 366U1/2 of the userinterface system 360 can be provided as de-emphasized interface elements366OBS when the user is distal from the user interface system 360 in themanner set forth in more detail above. When the user hand approaches,and becomes proximate to, the user interface system 360, the interfaceelements 366R, 366S1/2, 366T1/2, 366U1/2 can become emphasized interfaceelements 366APP as shown in FIG. 19B. The interface elements 366R,366S1/2, 366T1/2, 366U1/2, upon becoming apparent, can be manipulatedfor controlling the respective chair feature functions and can becomeobservably emphasized at the selected armrest 388 in the mannerdiscussed above with reference to FIGS. 2A-B.

As illustrated in FIG. 19B, for example, the interface elements 366R,366S1/2, 366T1/2, 366U1/2 can become observably emphasized by presentingassociated function icons 367R-U. The user interface system 360advantageously enables the user to control selected chair featurefunctions. Although shown and described as comprising a particulararrangement of seven interface elements 366R, 366S1/2, 366T1/2, 366U1/2that control selected chair feature functions and that are disposed atthe selected armrest 388 for purposes of illustration only, the userinterface system 360 can comprise any preselected number and/orarrangement of interface elements 366 for controlling any conventionalchair function(s) and can be disposed at any suitable location of theuser chair 382 as desired.

FIGS. 20A-B show that the user interface system 360 can include one ormore (track) touch pad systems 366TCH. Stated somewhat differently, oneor more of the interface elements 366 of the user interface system 360can be provided as a touch pad system 366TCH. Turning to FIG. 20A, theuser interface system 360 is shown as being disposed at a selectedarmrest 388 of the user chair 382 and including a touch pad system366TCH. The touch pad system 366TCH can be provided in any conventionalmanner and can be disposed adjacent to one or more other interfaceelements 366, such as one or more array arrangements 366MAT1, 366MAT2 ofinterface elements 366 as illustrated in FIG. 20A. The first and secondarray arrangements 366MAT1, 366MAT2 can comprise any number and/orarrangement of interface elements 366 in the manner set forth in moredetail above with reference to, for example, the array arrangement366MAT (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A-F) of interface elements 366.

In one embodiment, one or more of the touch pad systems 366TCH can beprovided as a touchscreen display system. The touchscreen display systemcan be provided in any conventional manner and advantageously cancombine the control functionality of the touch pad system 366TCH withthe video presentation functionality of the video interface system 362(shown in FIG. 6A) and/or the touch display system 200′ (shown in FIGS.22A-B). The user interface system 360 optionally can support draggingviewing content 210 among the touchscreen display system, the videointerface system 362, and/or the touch display system 200′. For example,the video interface system 362 can provide a large viewable arearelative to the touch screen display system and thereby can provide“screen extension” behavior by presenting viewing content 210 draggedfrom the touchscreen display system. Additionally, and/or alternatively,viewing content 210, such as entertainment content, presented by thevideo interface system 362 can be dragged to the touchscreen displaysystem for presentation.

The touchscreen display system advantageously can support privateinteractions with the system resource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/orthe associated resource function(s)) available by way of the informationsystem 100. Exemplary private interactions can include entry (orviewing) of personal information, credit card numbers, personalidentification numbers (PINs), transaction information, or any otherconfidential information that the user wishes to enter (or view) inprivate. In one embodiment, the touchscreen display system can beremovably coupled with the user seat 382 such that the touchscreendisplay system can be removed from the user seat 382, for instance, totake a closer look at smaller viewing content 210 and/or to facilitategame playing via the touchscreen display system. The touchscreen displaysystem optionally can be rotatably coupled with the user seat 382 suchthat the touchscreen display system can be rotated to a suitable anglerelative to the user chair 382 to facilitate use of the touchscreendisplay system. If the touchscreen display system presents aconventional keyboard system, for example, the touchscreen displaysystem can be rotated to enable the keyboard system to be presented in amanner to facilitate typing.

The touch pad system 366TCH and any other interface elements 366 of theuser interface system 360 can be provided as de-emphasized interfaceelements 366OBS when the user is distal from the user interface system360 in the manner set forth in more detail above. When the user handapproaches, and becomes proximate to, the user interface system 360, thetouch pad system 366TCH and any other interface elements 366 can becomeemphasized interface elements 366APP as shown in FIG. 20B. The touch padsystem 366TCH and any other interface elements 366, upon becomingapparent, can become observably emphasized and can be manipulated forinteracting with the system resource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/orthe associated resource function(s)) available by way of the informationsystem 100 in the manner set forth above.

FIGS. 21A-B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the user chair ofFIG. 3, wherein a left user interface system 360L disposed at a leftarmrest 388L of the user chair 382 is different from a right userinterface system 360R disposed at a right armrest 388R of the user chair382. Turning to FIG. 21A, the user interface system 360 can be providedin the manner set forth above with reference to the user interfacesystem 360 (shown in FIG. 3), wherein the user interface system 360includes left user interface system 360L and the right user interfacesystem 360R. The left user interface system 360L is shown as including afirst plurality of interface elements 366H and a second plurality ofinterface elements 366I. The first plurality of interface elements 366Hcan be provided as interface elements 366 for controlling anyconventional chair function(s) in the manner set forth above in FIGS.18A-B and 19A-B; whereas, the second plurality of interface elements366H can be provided as a gamer D-pad in the manner described above inFIGS. 10A-B. The right user interface systems 360R, in contrast to theleft user interface systems 360L, is shown as including a touch padsystems 366TCH and a plurality of other interface elements 366 in themanner described with reference to FIGS. 20A-B.

The interface elements 366 of the respective user interface systems360L, 360R can be provided as de-emphasized interface elements 366OBSwhen the user is distal from the user interface system 360 in the mannerset forth in more detail above. When the user hand approaches, andbecomes proximate to, the user interface system 360, one or moreselected interface elements 366 of the respective user interface systems360L, 360R can become emphasized interface elements 366APP as shown inFIG. 21B. The selected interface elements 366, upon becoming apparent,can become observably emphasized and can be manipulated for interactingwith the system resource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/or the associatedresource function(s)) available by way of the information system 100 inthe manner set forth above.

Turning to FIG. 22A, the user seat 382 advantageously can be adapted foruse with a seat-based video interface system, such as a touch displaysystem 200′. Typically having a smaller size (and/or dimension) than aconventional video interface system 362 (shown in FIG. 22B), the touchdisplay system 200′ can provide an alternative, and/or additional,interface system for enhancing a user's interaction with the informationsystem 100. The touch display system 200′ is shown in FIG. 22A as beingcoupled with the user seat 382 via a support arm 205. The support arm205 can be provided in any conventional manner and preferably enables aposition of the touch display system 200′ to be adjustable.

In one embodiment, the support arm 205 permits the touch display system200′ to be stowed when the touch display system 200′ is not in use.Although shown in FIG. 22A as being associated with the left armrest388L of the user seat 382 for purposes of illustration only, the supportarm 205 can be associated with the right armrest 388R or any othersuitable region of the user seat 382. The touch display system 200′ canbe coupled with the user seat 382 in any conventional manner. In oneembodiment, the touch display system 200′ can be disposed (or embedded)at a selected location, such as an armrest 388, of the user seat 382. Ifembedded at a selected location of the user seat 382, an outer surfaceof the touch display system 200′ preferably is positioned adjacent to(and/or flushly aligned with) the chair covering of the selectedlocation.

The touch display system 200′ can be provided in any conventionalmanner. As shown in FIG. 22A, the touch display system 200′ preferablyis provided as a personal (or portable) media device 200. The personalmedia device 200 can be provided by an operator of the informationsystem 100 and/or a user of the information system 100. As desired, thepersonal media device 200 can be removably coupled with the support arm205. A user thereby can dispose a personally-owned personal media device200 at the support arm 205 upon arrive at the user seat 382 and removethe personal media device 200 upon departing the user seat 382.Alternatively, and/or additionally, an operator-owned personal mediadevice 200 can be fixedly coupled with the support arm 205 to avoidtheft and/or removable coupled with the support arm 205 to facilitaterepair, maintenance, and/or replacement.

In the manner discussed above with reference to the touchscreen displaysystem discussed with reference to FIG. 20A-B, the touch display system200′ advantageously can be removably coupled with the user seat 382 suchthat the touch display system 200′ supports private interactions withthe system resource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/or the associatedresource function(s)) available by way of the information system 100.Exemplary private interactions can include entry (or viewing) ofpersonal information, credit card numbers, personal identificationnumbers (PINs), transaction information, or any other confidentialinformation that the user wishes to enter (or view) in private. Thetouch display system 200′ likewise can be removed from the user seat 382to take a closer look at smaller viewing content 210.

In one embodiment, the touch display system 200′ can comprise the solevideo interface system for the user interface system 360. Alternatively,the touch display system 200′ can provide a secondary video interfacesystem for the user interface system 360 and can be utilized inconjunction with the video interface system 362 (shown in FIG. 6A). Asshown in FIG. 22B, for example, as the video interface system 362presents viewing content 210 provided by the information system 100, thetouch display system 200′ can be adapted to present other viewingcontent 210, such as information entered by a user. In other words, thetouch display system 200′ advantageously can enable the user tomultitask. User information, for example, can be entered via one or moreemphasized interface elements 366APP and/or via the touch display system200′.

In an entertainment environment, for instance, entertainment content,such as a movie or the internet, can be presented via the videointerface system 362 and/or an audio interface system 364 (shown inFIGS. 26A-B); while, the touch display system 200′ can be utilized toorder food and/or beverages. Interaction with the touch display system200′ can be supported in the same manner set forth above with referenceto interaction with the user interface system 360. For example, thetouch display system 200′ can enable the user to interact with thesystem resource(s) 110 (shown in FIG. 1) (and/or the associated resourcefunction(s)) available by way of the information system 100 with simpleconventional gestures made with one hand (or finger) and/or two hands(or fingers) in the manner set forth above with reference to the pointercontrol interface system 360PNT (shown in FIGS. 12A-D).

FIG. 22B illustrates a video display system 240 of the touch displaysystem 200′ as presenting a keyboard 242 for entering the userinformation. In one embodiment, the keyboard 242 can comprise a touchkeyboard, such that typing a letter or other character can be performedby pressing a relevant key of the keyboard 242 as presented by the touchdisplay system 200′. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the individualkeys of the keyboard 242 as presented by the touch display system 200′can be mapped to one or more selected interface elements 366 of the userinterface system 360. The selected interface elements 366 preferably aredisposed at both armrests 388 of the user chair 382. Thereby, theinterface elements 366, upon becoming emphasized, can be manipulated totype the letter or other character via the presented keyboard 242. Thetyped letter or other character optionally can be presented via thetouch display system 200′.

As desired, the touch display system 200′ likewise can be adapted topresent the viewing content 210 provided by the information system 100.If the video interface system 362 is configured to present entertainmentcontent, such as social networking content, Internet content, or movie(or television) content, for example, the touch display system 200′ canbe utilized to write an electronic mail message and/or to order food.Although shown and described with reference to FIG. 22B as presentingtouch keyboard for entering the user information, the touch displaysystem 200′ can enable a user to enter user information in anyconventional manner, including via one or more menu systems 262 (shownin FIG. 3B) and/or graphical icons.

In an alternative embodiment, the touch display system 200′advantageously can support an idle mode. The video display system 240 ofthe touch display system 200′ thereby dims when the touch display system200′ is not being used. The touch display system 200′ can dim the videodisplay system 240 immediately upon sensing that a user had has movedaway from the touch display system 200′ and/or can permit apredetermined time period to elapse before dimming the video displaysystem 240. In other words, in the manner discussed above with referenceto the interface elements 366 of the user interface system 360, viewingcontent 210 presented by the video display system 240 can be obscuredfrom view (or otherwise de-emphasized) when a user is distal from thetouch display system 200′ (and/or the user interface system 360) and canbecome apparent (or otherwise emphasized) when the user (and/or a handof the user) approaches, and becomes proximate to, the touch displaysystem 200′.

The video display system 240, for example, can become obscured uponsensing that the user hand is withdrawing from (and/or has beenwithdrawn from) the video display system 240. Alternatively, and/oradditionally, the video display system 240 can obscure the video displaysystem 240 after a predetermined time period has elapsed after the userhand has been withdrawn. The predetermined time period can be within anypredetermined range of time periods, such as any ten-second rangebetween ten seconds and sixty seconds (or more).

A exemplary retractable keyboard system 244 of the user interface system360 is shown in FIGS. 23A-B. Preferably comprising a touch keyboardsystem, the keyboard system 244 can be become (and/or remain) apparentwhile the user indicates a desire to utilize the keyboard system 244(and/or the user interface system 360). Advantageously, the keyboardsystem 244 can be obscured from view (or otherwise de-emphasized) whenutilization of the keyboard system 244 is not desired. Turning to FIG.23A, for example, the keyboard system 244 can be provided at a selectedarmrest 388 of the user seat. The selected armrest 388 can form akeyboard storage compartment 246 for receiving the keyboard system 244and can provide a deployment system (not shown). The keyboard system 244thereby can be deployed from the keyboard storage compartment 246 foruse as shown in FIG. 23A and can be retracted into the keyboard storagecompartment 246 when use is complete as illustrated in FIG. 23B. Thekeyboard system 244, when disposed within the keyboard storagecompartment 246, preferable is obscured from view.

Although suitable for use with an information system 100 disposed at afixed location, such as a building, business, or school, the user chair382 likewise can advantageously be applied in mobile systemapplications. Turning to FIGS. 24A-B, for example, the user chair 382can be configured for installation aboard a wide variety of passengervehicles 390 and for communicating with vehicle information systems 300disposed aboard the passenger vehicles 390. Exemplary types of passengervehicles 390 can include an automobile 390A (shown in FIG. 24A), anaircraft 390B (shown in FIG. 24B), a bus, a recreational vehicle, apassenger boat or ferry, and/or a passenger train, or any other type ofpassenger vehicle without limitation. If installed on an aircraft 390Bas illustrated in FIG. 24B, for example, the vehicle information system300 can comprise a conventional aircraft passenger in-flightentertainment system, such as the Series 2000, 3000, eFX, and/or eX2in-flight entertainment system as manufactured by Panasonic AvionicsCorporation (formerly known as Matsushita Avionics Systems Corporation)of Lake Forest, Calif.

As shown in FIGS. 24A-B, the vehicle information system 300 comprises atleast one conventional content source 310 and one or more user (orpassenger) interface systems 360 that communicate via a real-timecontent distribution system 320. Each content source 310 can be providedin the manner set forth in the co-pending U.S. patent applications,entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DOWNLOADING FILES,” Ser. No. 10/772,565,filed on Feb. 4, 2004; entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING CONTENTON MOBILE PLATFORMS,” Ser. No. 11/123,327, filed on May 6, 2005;entitled “PORTABLE MEDIA DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING VIEWINGCONTENT DURING TRAVEL,” Ser. No. 11/154,749, filed on Jun. 15, 2005;entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING BROADCAST CONTENT ON A MOBILEPLATFORM DURING INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL,” Ser. No. 11/269,378, filed onNov. 7, 2005; entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERFACING A PORTABLEMEDIA DEVICE WITH A VEHICLE INFORMATION SYSTEM,” Ser. No. 12/210,624,filed on Sep. 15, 2008; entitled “PORTABLE USER CONTROL DEVICE ANDMETHOD FOR VEHICLE INFORMATION SYSTEMS,” Ser. No. 12/210,689, filed onSep. 15, 2008; entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING BROADCASTCONTENT ON A MOBILE PLATFORM DURING TRAVEL,” Ser. No. 12/237,253, filedon Sep. 24, 2008; and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTINGADVERTISEMENT CONTENT ON A MOBILE PLATFORM DURING TRAVEL,” Ser. No.12/245,521, filed on Oct. 3, 2008, which are assigned to the assignee ofthe present application and the respective disclosures of which arehereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The viewing content 210 available via the content source 310 cancomprise any conventional type of audio and/or video viewing content,such as stored (or time-delayed) viewing content, live (or real-time)viewing content, and/or interactive viewing content, in the manner setforth in the above-referenced co-pending U.S. patent applications,entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DOWNLOADING FILES,” Ser. No. 10/772,565,filed on Feb. 4, 2004; entitled “PORTABLE MEDIA DEVICE AND METHOD FORPRESENTING VIEWING CONTENT DURING TRAVEL,” Ser. No. 11/154,749, filed onJun. 15, 2005; and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING BROADCASTCONTENT ON A MOBILE PLATFORM DURING INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL,” Ser. No.11/269,378, filed on Nov. 7, 2005. Exemplary viewing content 210 caninclude text messaging, electronic mail (or email), televisionprogramming content, music content, podcast content, photograph albumcontent, audiobook content, movie content, and/or game content withoutlimitation.

As desired, the viewing content 210 can include geographical informationin the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,661,353, entitled “METHOD FORDISPLAYING INTERACTIVE FLIGHT MAP INFORMATION,” and/or the co-pendingU.S. patent applications, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING ATRAVEL ROUTE OF A PASSENGER VEHICLE,” Attorney Docket No. 700546.4065,filed Oct. 2, 2009, which are assigned to the assignee of the presentapplication and the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated hereinby reference in their entireties. The exemplary viewing content as shownand described herein are not exhaustive and are provided herein forpurposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation.

The content sources 310 can include one or more internal contentsources, such as server system 310A, that are installed aboard thevehicle 390 and/or remote (or terrestrial) content sources 310B that canbe external from the vehicle 390. The server system 310A can be providedas an information system controller for providing overall system controlfunctions for the vehicle information system 300 and/or at least onemedia (or file) server system, as illustrated in FIGS. 24A-B), forstoring preprogrammed content and/or downloaded viewing content 210D, asdesired. The server system 310A can include, and/or communicate with,one or more conventional peripheral media storage systems (not shown),including optical media devices, such as a digital video disk (DVD)system or a compact disk (CD) system, and/or magnetic media systems,such as a video cassette recorder (VCR) system or a hard disk drive(HDD) system, of any suitable kind, for storing the preprogrammedcontent and/or the downloaded viewing content 210D. As desired, theserver system 310A likewise can support decoding and/or digital rightsmanagement (DRM) functions of the vehicle information system 300.

Being configured to distribute and/or present the viewing content 210provided by one or more selected content sources 310, the vehicleinformation system 300 can communicate with the content sources 310 inreal time and in any conventional manner, including via wired and/orwireless communications. The vehicle information system 300 and theterrestrial content source 310B, for example, can communicate in anyconventional wireless manner, including directly and/or indirectly viaan intermediate communication system 370, such as a satellitecommunication system 370A. The vehicle information system 300 therebycan receive download viewing content 210D from a selected terrestrialcontent source 310B and/or transmit upload viewing content 210U,including navigation and other control instructions, to the terrestrialcontent source 310B. As desired, the terrestrial content source 310B canbe configured to communicate with other terrestrial content sources (notshown). The terrestrial content source 310B is shown in FIG. 24B asproviding access to the Internet 310C. Although shown and described ascomprising the satellite communication system 370A for purposes ofillustration, it is understood that the communication system 370 cancomprise any conventional type of wireless communication system, such asa cellular communication system (not shown) and/or an Aircraft GroundInformation System (AGIS) communication system (not shown).

To facilitate communications with the terrestrial content sources 310B,the vehicle information system 300 can include an antenna system 330 anda transceiver system 340 for receiving the viewing content from theremote (or terrestrial) content sources 310B as shown in FIGS. 24A-B.The antenna system 330 preferably is disposed outside the vehicle 390,such as an exterior surface 394 of a fuselage 392 of the aircraft 390B.The antenna system 330 can receive viewing content 210 from theterrestrial content source 310B and provide the received viewing content210, as processed by the transceiver system 340, to a computer system350 of the vehicle information system 300. The computer system 350 canprovide the received viewing content 210 to the media server system 310Aand/or to one or more of the user interface systems 360, as desired.Although shown and described as being separate systems for purposes ofillustration, the computer system 350 and the media server system 310Acan be at least partially integrated.

The vehicle information system components, including the content sources310 and the user interface systems 360, are shown in FIGS. 24A-B ascommunicating via the content distribution system 320. FIG. 25illustrates an exemplary content distribution system 320 for the vehicleinformation system 300. The content distribution system 320 of FIG. 25couples, and supports communication between a headend system 310H, whichincludes the content sources 310, and the plurality of user interfacesystems 360. The distribution system 320 as shown in FIG. 25 is providedin the manner set forth co-pending U.S. patent application, entitled“SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ROUTING COMMUNICATION SIGNALS VIA A DATADISTRIBUTION NETWORK,” Ser. No. 11/277,896, filed on Mar. 29, 2006, andin U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,596,647, 5,617,331, and 5,953,429, each entitled“INTEGRATED VIDEO AND AUDIO SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FORUSE ON COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT AND OTHER VEHICLES,” which are assigned tothe assignee of the present application and the respective disclosuresof which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties. Alternatively, and/or additionally, the distribution system320 can be provided in the manner set forth in the co-pending U.S.patent application “OPTICAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FORDISTRIBUTING CONTENT ABOARD A MOBILE PLATFORM DURING TRAVEL,” Ser. No.12/367,406, filed Feb. 6, 2009, which is assigned to the assignee of thepresent application and the disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

As desired, the distribution system 320 likewise can include a networkmanagement system (not shown) provided in the manner set forth inco-pending U.S. patent applications, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FORIMPROVING NETWORK RELIABILITY,” Ser. No. 10/773,523, filed on Feb. 6,2004, and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING NETWORKRELIABILITY,” Ser. No. 11/086,510, filed on Mar. 21, 2005, which areassigned to the assignee of the present application and the respectivedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

As illustrated in FIG. 25, the distribution system 320 can be providedas a plurality of line replaceable units (LRUs), including areadistribution boxes (ADBs) 322, a plurality of floor disconnect boxes(FDBs) 323, and a plurality of chair electronics boxes (SEBs) (and/orpremium chair electronics boxes (PSEBs)) 324 being configured tocommunicate in real time via a plurality of wired and/or wirelesscommunication connections 325. The line replaceable units of thedistribution system 320 likewise can include a switching system 321 forproviding an interface between the distribution system 320 and theheadend system 310H. The switching system 321 can comprise aconventional switching system, such as an Ethernet switching system, andis configured to couple the headend system 310H with the areadistribution boxes 322. Each of the area distribution boxes 322 iscoupled with, and communicates with, the switching system 321.

Each of the area distribution boxes 322, in turn, is coupled with, andcommunicates with, at least one floor disconnect box 323. Although thearea distribution boxes 322 and the associated floor disconnect boxes323 can be coupled in any conventional configuration, the associatedfloor disconnect boxes 323 preferably are disposed in a star networktopology about a central area distribution box 322 as illustrated inFIG. 25. Each floor disconnect box 323 is coupled with, and services, aplurality of daisy-chains of chair electronics boxes 324. The chairelectronics boxes 324, in turn, are configured to communicate with theuser interface systems 360. Each chair electronics box 324 can supportone or more of the user interface systems 360.

As desired, the floor disconnect boxes 323 advantageously can beprovided as routing systems and/or interconnected in the manner setforth in the above-referenced co-pending U.S. patent application,entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ROUTING COMMUNICATION SIGNALS VIA A DATADISTRIBUTION NETWORK,” Ser. No. 11/277,896, filed on Mar. 29, 2006. Thedistribution system 320 can include at least one FDB internal portbypass connection 325A and/or at least one SEB loopback connection 325B.Each FDB internal port bypass connection 325A is a communicationconnection 325 that permits floor disconnect boxes 323 associated withdifferent area distribution boxes 322 to directly communicate. Each SEBloopback connection 325B is a communication connection 325 that directlycouples the last chair electronics box 324 in each daisy-chain of chairelectronics boxes 324 for a selected floor disconnect box 323 as shownin FIG. 25. Each SEB loopback connection 325B therefore forms a loopbackpath among the daisy-chained chair electronics boxes 324 coupled withthe relevant floor disconnect box 323.

Returning to FIGS. 24A-B, the user interface systems 360 are providedfor selecting viewing content 210 and for presenting the selectedviewing content 210. As desired, the user interface systems 360 cancomprise conventional passenger interfaces and can be provided in themanner set forth in the above-referenced co-pending U.S. patentapplication, entitled “PORTABLE MEDIA DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRESENTINGVIEWING CONTENT DURING TRAVEL,” Ser. No. 11/154,749, filed on Jun. 15,2005, as well as in the manner set forth in the co-pending U.S. patentapplication, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING HIGH-QUALITYVIDEO,” Ser. No. 11/379,360, filed on Apr. 19, 2006, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 26A provides a view of a passenger cabin 380 of a passenger vehicle390, such as the automobile 390A (shown in FIG. 24A) and/or the aircraft390B (shown in FIG. 24B), aboard which the vehicle information system300 has been installed. The passenger cabin 380 is illustrated asincluding a plurality of passenger chairs 382, and each passenger chair382 is associated with a selected user interface system 360. Each userinterface system 360 can include a video interface system 362 and/or anaudio interface system 364. Exemplary video interface systems 362 caninclude overhead cabin display systems 362A with central controls, chairback display systems 362B or armrest display systems (not shown) eachwith individualized controls, crew display panels, and/or handheldpresentation systems. The audio interface systems 364 can be provided inany conventional manner, including an overhead speaker system 364A, thehandheld presentation systems, and/or headphones coupled with an audiojack provided, for example, at an armrest 388 of the user chair 382. Aspeaker system likewise can be associated with the user chair 382, suchas a speaker system 364B disposed within a base 384B of the user chair382 and/or a speaker system 364C disposed within a headrest 384 of theuser chair 382. In a preferred embodiment, the audio interface system364 can include an optional noise-cancellation system for furtherimproving sound quality produced by the audio interface system 364.

The video interface systems 362 and the audio interface systems 364 canbe installed at any suitable cabin surface, such as a chair back 386,wall 396, ceiling, and/or bulkhead, or an armrest 388 of a passengerchair 382 in any conventional manner including via a mounting system 363provided in the manner set forth co-pending U.S. patent applications,entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING USER INTERFACE DEVICES,” Ser.No. 11/828,193, filed on Jul. 25, 2007, and entitled “USER INTERFACEDEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING VIEWING CONTENT,” Ser. No. 11/835,371,filed on Aug. 7, 2007, which are assigned to the assignee of the presentapplication and the respective disclosures of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

As shown in FIG. 26A, the user interface system 360 likewise can includean interface element 366 for permitting the user (or passenger) tocommunicate with the vehicle information system 300, such as via anexchange of control signals 220. For example, the interface element 366can permit the user to enter one or more user instructions 230 forcontrolling the operation of the vehicle information system 300.Illustrative user instructions 230 can include instructions forinitiating communication with the content source 310, instructions forselecting viewing content 210 for presentation, and/or instructions forcontrolling the presentation of the selected viewing content 210. If afee is required for accessing the viewing content 210, paymentinformation likewise can be entered via the interface element 366.

The interface element 366 can be provided in any conventional manner andtypically includes one or more switches (or pushbuttons), such as akeyboard or a keypad, and/or a pointing device, such as a mouse,trackball, or stylus. As desired, the interface element 366 can be atleast partially integrated with, and/or separable from, the associatedvideo interface system 362 and/or audio interface system 364. Forexample, the video interface system 362 and the interface element 366can be provided as a touch screen display system. The interface element366 likewise can include one or more input ports (not shown) forcoupling a peripheral input device (not shown), such as a full-sizecomputer keyboard, an external mouse, and/or a game pad, with thevehicle information system 300.

Preferably, at least one of the user interface systems 360 includes awired and/or wireless access point 368, such as a conventionalcommunication port (or connector), for coupling a personal media device200 (shown in FIG. 26B) with the vehicle information system 300.Passengers (not shown) who are traveling aboard the vehicle 390 therebycan enjoy personally-selected viewing content during travel. The accesspoint 368 is located proximally to an associated passenger chair 382 andcan be provided at any suitable cabin surface, such as a chair back 386,wall 396, ceiling, and/or bulkhead.

Turning to FIG. 26B, the personal media devices 200 and the vehicleinformation system 300 are shown as communicating via respective accesspoints 368. The personal media device 200 can store the audio and/orvideo viewing content 210 and can be provided as a handheld device, suchas a laptop computer, a palmtop computer, a personal digital assistant(PDA), cellular telephone, and/or a MPEG Audio Layer 3 (MP3) device.Illustrative personal media devices 200 are shown and described in theco-pending U.S. patent applications, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FORDOWNLOADING FILES,” Ser. No. 10/772,565, filed on Feb. 4, 2004; entitled“PORTABLE MEDIA DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING VIEWING CONTENT DURINGTRAVEL,” Ser. No. 11/154,749, filed on Jun. 15, 2005; entitled “SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR RECEIVING BROADCAST CONTENT ON A MOBILE PLATFORM DURINGINTERNATIONAL TRAVEL,” Ser. No. 11/269,378, filed on Nov. 7, 2005;entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERFACING A PORTABLE MEDIA DEVICE WITHA VEHICLE INFORMATION SYSTEM,” Ser. No. 12/210,624, filed on Sep. 15,2008; entitled “MEDIA DEVICE INTERFACE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLEINFORMATION SYSTEMS,” Ser. No. 12/210,636, filed Sep. 15, 2008; entitled“MEDIA DEVICE INTERFACE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE INFORMATIONSYSTEMS,” Ser. No. 12/210,652, filed Sep. 15, 2008; and entitled“PORTABLE USER CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE INFORMATIONSYSTEMS,” Ser. No. 12/210,689, filed on Sep. 15, 2008, which areassigned to the assignee of the present application and the respectivedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

As shown in FIG. 26B, the personal media devices 200 each include avideo display system 240 for visually presenting the viewing content 210and an audio system 250 for audibly presenting the viewing content 210.Each personal media device 200 can include a user control system 260,which can be provided in any conventional manner and typically includesone or more switches (or pushbuttons), such as a keyboard or a keypad,and/or a pointing device, such as a mouse, trackball, or stylus. Thepersonal media devices 200 thereby can select desired viewing content210 and control the manner in which the selected viewing content 210 isreceived and/or presented.

The personal media devices 200 likewise include a communication port (orconnector) 270. The communication port 270 enables the personal mediadevices 200 to communicate with the vehicle information system 300 viathe access points 368 of the user interface systems 360. As illustratedwith personal media device 200A, the communication port 270 and theaccess points 368 can supported wireless communications; whereas,support for wired communications between the communication port 270 andthe access points 368 via a communication cable assembly 369 is shownwith personal media device 200B. When the communication port 270 and theaccess points 368 are in communication, the vehicle information system300 supports a simple manner for permitting the associated personalmedia device 200 to be integrated with the vehicle information system300 using a user-friendly communication interface.

When the personal media device 200 and the vehicle information system300 are in communication, the vehicle information system 300 can performa plurality of integration tasks simultaneously, enabling the personalmedia device 200 to become fully integrated with the vehicle informationsystem 300 via a selected access point 368. The system components of thevehicle information system 300 and the personal media device 200 therebybecome interchangeable. The personal media device 200 likewise canreceive control signals (or commands) 220 and/or operating power 220Pfrom the vehicle information system 300. Thereby, the personal mediadevice 200 advantageously can become a seamless part of the vehicleinformation system 300.

For example, user instructions 230 (shown in FIGS. 24A-B) forcontrolling the operation of the vehicle information system 300 can beprovided via the interface element 366 of the vehicle information system300 and/or the user control system 260 of the personal media device 200.In other words, the interface element 366 of the vehicle informationsystem 300 and/or the user control system 260 of the personal mediadevice 200 can be used to select viewing content 210 and control themanner in which the selected viewing content 210 is received and/orpresented. The selected viewing content 210 can be provided by arelevant content source 310 (shown in FIGS. 24A-B) of the vehicleinformation system 300 and/or by storage media (not shown) disposedwithin the personal media device 200. A video portion of the selectedviewing content 210 thereby can be presented via the video presentationsystem 362 of the vehicle information system 300 and/or the videodisplay system 240 of the personal media device 200. The audiopresentation system 364 of the vehicle information system 300 and/or theaudio system 250 of the personal media device 200 can be used to presentan audio portion of the selected viewing content 210. If the videodisplay system 240 of the personal media device 200 is much smaller thanthe video presentation system 362 of the vehicle information system 300,a passenger may prefer to view the selected viewing content 210 via thelarger video presentation system 362.

When no longer in use and/or direct physical contact with the personalmedia device 200 is not otherwise required, the personal media device200 can be stored at the user chair 382. For example, the user chair 382can include a storage compartment 389 for providing storage of thepersonal media device 200. The storage compartment 389 can be providedin any conventional manner and at any suitable portion of the user chair382. As illustrated with passenger chair 382B, the personal media device200 can be placed in a storage pocket 389B formed in the armrest 388 ofthe user chair 382B. The storage compartment 389 likewise can beprovided on the chair back 386 and/or the headrest 384 of the user chair382. Storage compartment 389A of passenger chair 382A, for example, isshown as being formed on the lower chair back 386 of the user chair382A. As desired, the storage compartment 389 can comprise an overheadstorage compartment, a door storage compartment, a storage compartmentprovided underneath the user chair 382, or any other type ofconventional storage compartment, such as a glove compartment, trunk, orcloset, available in the passenger vehicle 390.

The described embodiments are susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, and specific examples thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that the described embodiments are not to belimited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to thecontrary, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives.

1. An integrated user interface system suitable for interacting with asystem resource, comprising: a chair region of the user chair; and aplurality of interface elements being provided at said chair region,said interface elements being obscured from view and inhibited frominteracting with the system resource when a user hand is distal from theuser interface system, one or more selected interface elements becomingvisible and activated for interacting with the system resource when theuser hand is proximate to the user interface system, wherein saidintegrated user interface system is utilized in conjunction with a videointerface system for presenting a menu system with control indiciaassociated with system functions available via the system resource, saidselected interface elements being mapped to the control indicia toenable navigation of the menu system via said integrated user interfacesystem.
 2. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein said selectedinterface elements become visible by at least one of projecting fromsaid chair region, becoming illuminated, presenting control indicia, andpresenting a function icon that represents a preselected controlfunction associated with said selected interface elements; and whereinsaid selected interface elements remain visible while the hand of theuser is adjacent to the user interface system and become obscured whenthe hand of the user withdraws from the user interface system.
 3. Theuser interface system of claim 1, wherein said selected interfaceelements provide a chair control interface for controlling a chairfeature of the user chair, the chair control interface controlling atleast one of a headrest position, a footrest position, an armrestposition, a chair back recline angle, a lumbar support position, a chairelevation, a chair swivel angle, an in-chair massage system, an audiovolume level, a light brightness level, in-chair and an in-chairtemperature control system.
 4. The user interface system of claim 1,wherein said interface elements are disposed in a matrix arrangement;and wherein said selected interface elements comprise a portion of saidinterface elements, said interface elements including a plurality ofboundary interface elements that become visible to define a boundarythat at least partially surrounds said selected interface elements whenthe user hand is proximate to the user interface system.
 5. The userinterface system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of said interfaceelements form a composite interface element, said composite interfaceelement comprising at least one of a touch pad system, a gaminginterface system, a gamer D-pad system, a chair control system, apointer control system, a rectangular grid system, and a telephonekeypad system.
 6. The user interface system of claim 5, wherein saidinterface elements are disposed in a matrix arrangement; wherein, if atleast one of said interface elements forming said composite interfaceelement becomes unavailable, a position of said composite interfaceelement within said matrix arrangement is dynamically adjusted to avoidsaid unavailable said unavailable interface element.
 7. The userinterface system of claim 1, further comprising a touch film interfacesystem disposed at said chair region, a projection system projectingsaid selected interface elements onto respective areas of said touchfilm interface system as virtual interface elements, a selected area ofsaid touch film interface system detecting an approach of the hand ofthe user and actuating an associated virtual interface element prior toactual contact with said chair region.
 8. The user interface system ofclaim 1, wherein a projection system projects said selected interfaceelements onto respective areas of said touch film interface system asvirtual interface elements, an camera system detecting the hand of theuser approaching a selected area of said chair region and actuating anassociated virtual interface element prior to actual contact with saidchair region.
 9. The user interface system of claim 1, wherein saidselected interface elements become visible by forming raised projectionsvia a chair region covering associated with said chair region, theprojections providing the user interface system with a tactile feel, thechair region covering comprising a pliable chair region covering forenabling formation and manipulation of the projections.
 10. A userchair, comprising: a seat; and a chair region being coupled with saidseat; and an integrated user interface system being disposed at saidchair region and being provided in accordance with claim
 1. 11. The userchair of claim 10, wherein said chair region comprises left and rightarmrests, said seat being disposed between said left and right armrests;and wherein said user interface system comprises a first user interfacesystem disposed at said left armrest and a second user interface systemdisposed at said right armrest, each of said first and second userinterface systems being provided in accordance with claim
 1. 12. Theuser chair of claim 11, wherein said first user interface system isprovided in the same manner as said second user interface system.
 13. Aninformation system, comprising: a plurality of system resources eachproviding at least one associated resource function; a user chair havinga chair region and an integrated user interface system being disposed atsaid chair region and being provided in accordance with claim 1; and adistribution system for coupling said user chair with said systemresources, said distribution system comprising at least one of a wireddistribution system and a wireless distribution system, wherein saidsystem resources include at least one local system resource that isproximate to said user chair, and wherein said system resources includeat least one remote system resource that is distal from said user chair,said user chair communicating with said remote system resource via anintermediate satellite.
 14. The information system of claim 13, whereinsaid information system is suitable for installation aboard a passengervehicle.
 15. An aircraft, comprising: a fuselage; a plurality ofpassenger chairs arranged within the fuselage; and an information systemcoupled with said fuselage and being provided in accordance with claim13.
 16. A method for manufacturing an integrated user interface system,comprising: providing a user chair having a chair region; and disposinga user interface system at said chair region of said user chair, saiduser interface system being provided in accordance with claim
 1. 17. Amethod for operating an integrated user interface system being disposedat a chair region of a user chair and having a plurality of interfaceelements, comprising: enabling the interface elements to be obscuredfrom view and inhibited from interacting with the system resource when auser hand is distal from the user interface system; and enabling one ormore selected interface elements becoming visible and activated forinteracting with the system resource when the user hand is proximate tothe user interface system.
 18. A computer program product for operatingan integrated user interface system being disposed at a chair region ofa user chair and having a plurality of interface elements, the computerprogram product being encoded on more or more machine-readable storagemedia and comprising: instruction for enabling the interface elements tobe obscured from view and inhibited from interacting with the systemresource when a user hand is distal from the user interface system; andinstruction for enabling one or more selected interface elementsbecoming visible and activated for interacting with the system resourcewhen the user hand is proximate to the user interface system.